I’m a Green Card Holder. Should I apply for US Citizenship?

For years, we thought Green Card is a safe and secure permit for the immigrants to live in the United States. However, the recent immigration reforms attempted by the new President of United States, Donald Trump have triggered fears even among the Green Card holders. Lawful permanent residents, generally known as Green Card holders had acquired permission from the immigration department of the United States to live, work, study or even own a property across the U.S. What this typically means is that they are admitted to the country as a permanent resident.

Recently, President Donald Trump placed a bill to modify the H-1B visa and Green Card citizenship making it a tough hardship for the immigrants to survive and work in the United States. Though protests had erupted across the globe condemning the anti-immigrant moves, chances are in favor of the President Donald Trump, as he’s the elected representative in a democratic country. Being said that, there could more anti-immigrant attempts in the store which may Trump the immigrants in the forthcoming days.

Many Green Card Holders are worried about the speculations that immigration changes harming them are possibly caused by the President Donald Trump’s government. They had become desperate to get citizenship and most of them had already walked into the immigration offices to apply for them.

How can Green Card holders apply for Citizenship?

Green Card is offered to the people through four main criteria. They are,

1. If the applicant acquire permanent job from a U.S. employer
2. If the applicant is sponsored by his family living as permanent residents in the U.S.
3. If the applicant has humanitarian reasons
4. Or, If the applicant wins the annual Green Card lottery

Once they’ve acquired the Green card, they’re eligible to own a house or any property in the United States and live as a permanent resident.

Citizenship

The USCIS (The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) authorizes the Green Card holders to apply for U.S citizenship after successfully holding valid Green Card for five consecutive years. Those who gets married to American Citizen are eligible to apply for citizenship if they hold valid Green Card for three consecutive years.

The new White House Administration had sowed fears in the hearts of not just the undocumented community but also the permanent residents. Officially, still, the Green Card holds its power to authorize an immigrant to live as a permanent resident but applying for a citizenship is indeed a wise move considering the anti-immigrant policies of President Donald Trump.

If you're looking for advice on Green Card Opportunities or Citizenship opportunities in the United States, enquire Green Card and U.S Citizenship experts at Sulekha!