Becoming a refugee is a daunting process. However, if achieved it can provide legal protection, ensuring your safety from conflict, violence, and persecution in your home country. Once you have successfully entered the country under this status, you may wonder whether you can obtain a green card to remain in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Keep reading to learn whether this is possible and why connecting with our skilled Essex County Green Card Attorneys is in your best interest.
What Classifies Someone as a Refugee?
Generally, a refugee is someone who is in fear of persecution if they were to remain in their home country. This includes people who would face violence for their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Essentially, they have been forced to flee their country and cannot return without risking their life or freedoms.
How to Apply for a Green Card as a Refugee?
As a refugee, after one year of physical presence in the United States, you can apply to adjust your status to a lawful permanent resident. It’s important to note that this one-year residency requirement is calculated from the date that your I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, was issued. To be eligible aside from meeting the residency requirement, you must continue to meet the definition of a refugee.
It’s essential to understand that your refugee status and right to remain in the United States could be revoked if the conditions in your home country change. This is a risk even though you are applying for a U.S. green card. The risk gets even greater as the years go by, therefore, you should apply for a green card as soon as you become eligible.
To apply, you will need to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status. With this form, you will need to submit proof of your continuous physical presence in the United States, evidence supporting your status, and a Form I-693, Report of Medical Exam and Vaccination Record.
In addition, you must provide a certified copy of your criminal record if you’ve ever been arrested, two passport-style photos, and proof of any legal name change. Furthermore, you will receive a notice for your biometrics data, which requires you to have your fingerprints taken. Once these matters have been completed, USCIS will issue a decision on whether you have been approved for a green card.
Seeking a green card is the step before being able to apply for U.S. citizenship. The process of becoming a refugee and obtaining a green card can be complex. As such, it’s in your best interest to contact a trusted attorney from the Law Offices of Christopher T. Howell, Esq., who can help guide you through each phase of this process. Connect with our dedicated legal team today to learn how we can help you remain in the U.S.
