NOW THAT YOU ARE A PERMANENT RESIDENT

This page describes most of the rights and responsibilities that you now have as a Permanent Resident of the United States. This documents also applies to those people who are now CONDITIONAL RESIDENTS.

The difference between a non-conditional resident and a conditional resident is that the conditional resident status will expire two years from the date it was issued. To prevent the expiration of the resident status, the conditional resident must successfully petition the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) to have the condition removed from the status. You have conditional permanent resident status if:

• You received your permanent residence through a marriage that was less than two years old at the time the permanent resident status was granted, or

• You received your permanent residence through an investment as an employment creation immigrant (EB-5).

YOUR RIGHTS AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT:

You have most of the rights of a US citizen, these include:

• To live permanently in the United States as long as you do not commit any actions that make you removable/deportable under US immigration law.

• To be employed in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing.

• To be protected by all laws of the United States, your state, and local jurisdictions.

• To vote in local elections where US citizenship is not required

You do not have the following rights:

• To be employed in some jobs that required US citizenship for security reasons.

• To vote in elections limited to US citizens.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT:

You must obey all the laws of the United States, the States and local jurisdictions. You must file state and federal income tax returns. You are expected to support the democratic form of government and cannot attempt to change the government through illegal means. If you are a male, age 18-25, you must register with the selective service.

YOUR PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD:

You must have your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 available to you at all times. Currently, the cards are issued for 10 years at a time. Your status as a Permanent Resident does not expire in 10 years but the card does expire in 10 years. You must file to renew the card before it expires. You can use your card to prove your employment eligibility, to apply for a Social Security Number and to apply for a driver's license.

YOUR CONDITIONAL RESIDENT CARD:

This card is valid for two years. You must file a Petition to Remove the Condition on your status during the 90 period before your card expires. This begins one year and nine months after the date you were issued the conditional status. If you do not file to remove the condition, you will lose your permanent resident status. You can use your card to prove your employment eligibility, to apply for a Social Security Number and to apply for a driver's license.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:

As a Permanent Resident, you can travel outside the United States. You will need your passport from your home country. To re-enter the United States you must present your Permanent Resident Card (green card, Form I-551) to be able to be readmitted. You may use your I-551 stamp inside your passport if you have not yet received your physical green card.  If you travel outside the United States for more than one year at a time, you must obtain a re-entry permit from BCIS. This is requested on Form I-131.

MAINTAINING PERMANENT RESIDENCE:

You could lose your permanent residence if you commit an act that makes you deportable/removable from the United States. You will be brought before an Immigration Court and have an opportunity to present your defense.

YOU MAY BE FOUND TO HAVE ABANDONED YOUR PERMANENT RESIDENCE IF YOU:

• Move to another country intending to live there permanently.

• Remain outside the United States for more than one year at one time without first obtaining a re-entry permit or a returning resident visa. Absences of less than one year may also be considered to show abandonment of permanent resident status.

• Remain outside the United States for more than two years after you received your re-entry permit and without first obtaining a returning resident visa.

• Absences outside the United States for six months to one year can also be considered as proof of abandonment of permanent resident status, depending upon the circumstances.

• Fail to file income tax returns while living outside the United States for any period.

• Declare yourself a "non-immigrant" on your tax returns.

 FILING FOR YOUR RELATIVES:

A permanent resident can petition for some relatives to join him or her in the United States. This is limited to your spouse and your children.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

You must inform BCIS of any change in your address within 10 days of that change. Currently, this is done on Form AR-11 and by notifying your local Immigration Office.

NATURALIZATION TO UNITED STATES CITIZENHIP:

Naturalization is the process used by most permanent residents to become US citizens. After a permanent resident completes the necessary US residence and physical presence requirements, an application for naturalization can be filed with BCIS. The person's eligibility, criminal history, English language abilities, US history knowledge, and moral character will be evaluated. A naturalized citizen has the same rights and responsibilities as a native born citizen with one exception. Only a native born US citizen can be president of the United States.