Green Cards / Legal Permanent Residents (LPR)

They have the right to live or work anywhere in the U.S.

They cannot vote.

They can be deported.

Yes, they have the option to surrender or abandon their "Green Card."

There are two types: "CPR" (conditional permanent resident) and "LPR" (lawful permanent resident).

If you are considering permanently immigrating to the United States, there are several visa options available depending on your situation:

1. Fiancé visa - This visa suits foreign nationals engaged with U.S. citizens.

2. Family visas - If you have a U.S. citizen relative who wishes to join them in the United States, you can apply for a family visa.

3. Work visa - This visa is intended for individuals with unique skills or talents in demand in a specific industry or field.

4. Diversity visa - Also known as the green card lottery, this visa is awarded randomly to applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the US.

When a green card is initially issued, it is often a temporary green card and is valid for two years. After the first two years, provided that eligibility status is maintained and there are no convictions for criminal activity, a permanent residence visa is issued, valid for ten years.

A legal permanent resident (LPR) is a person who has been permitted to stay in the United States. 

No, you do not have to wait until you become a citizen to change your name. You can follow the procedures set by your state to change your name legally.

Yes, LPRs can travel internationally, but they must have their passport issued by their country of citizenship and their Green Card to return to the US. Carrying other documents, such as a US driver's license, is also recommended. However, LPRs may lose their permanent residency if they stay outside the US for an extended period of time, move temporarily or permanently, identify as a non-immigrant on their taxes, or fail to file income taxes while living outside the US. To prevent losing their LPR status, individuals can apply for a re-entry permit if they know they will be outside the US or a returning resident visa at the nearest embassy or US consulate. Exceptions apply to members of the US armed services or civilian employees of the US government overseas on official business.

As a lawful permanent resident, you can petition for your parents, spouse, or children to come to the United States. However, they cannot immediately apply for an immigrant visa once the petition is approved because they have to wait until their visa numbers become available. The visa numbers are updated monthly on the visa bulletin by the Department of State. Once you naturalize, you can petition for your parents, spouse, children, and even your siblings.

Your parents can immediately apply for an Immigrant Visa once their petition is approved because they are considered immediate relatives. Your spouse will be considered an immediate relative, as well as your children who are under 21. You cannot file a petition for your aunts, uncles, or cousins as a lawful permanent resident or as a United States citizen. I would suggest filing for your parents, spouse, and/or children under 21 now because you can upgrade those petitions once you become a United States citizen. This will also save you some time. You should petition your brothers and sisters once you become a United States citizen.

It is recommended to file the petition for your son immediately. The petition can be upgraded once you become a US citizen, and the priority dates are similar for unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens and permanent residents. Both categories have a waiting period of approximately 6-7 years before their priority dates become current, but if your son is under the age of 21, he will qualify as a child of a permanent resident and have a shorter waiting period of approximately 3-4 months unless the numbers regress or slow down. Once you become a US citizen, your son will be considered an immediate relative, and there will be no waiting period. He will be able to apply for an Immigrant Visa immediately.

Parole

If you are discovered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be unlawfully present in the United States, you can explain to the officers your situation. ICE has discretion in deciding to institute proceedings or not. You may also request Humanitarian Parole, although this is usually done before seeking entry into the United States.