• PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES: WHAT IT ENTAILS
  • 12MayOnce an applicant becomes a permanent resident or what is called a green card holder then this state of permanent residence has to be maintained, until the applicant:

    1. Applies for and initiates the naturalization process, or
    2. Loses or does away with the status of permanent residence.

    There are some ways in which an applicant loses his or her status as a legal permanent resident.

    CONDITIONS TO THE STATUS

    The Immigration and Nationality Act of which Section 215 gives the applicant the provision for becoming a permanent resident based on the condition of marriage.

    A sub-section, Section 216A of the INA allows the applicant based on investments.

    Both these sections can enable USCIS to terminate the applicant’s conditional status if a fraud or an untoward incident treated as a crime is perpetrated.

    That status could be lost if a final order against the applicant is issued by an immigration judge.

    DOING AWAY WITH PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS

    The applicant will be doing away with the status if he or she:

    • Moves away to another country with the intention of living there on a permanent basis.
    • Stays outside the United States for a long period of time.
    • Does not pay income tax while staying outside the United States for a long period
    • Gives the declaration of “non-immigrant” status in the income tax returns.