Parents got their Green Cards

[Steamer]

It only took about 7 months and the in-laws got their green cards. It's not difficult but I would recommend a lawyer because if you screw up any answers on the AOS petition you will be screwed.

[alex330]

Congratulations. My wife's cousin is working on her parents GC at the moment. She says it is easier and less expensive than a visitor VISA. Go figure.

[Shadow]

Congratulations, when will the grandparents stort their application ? 

[ML]

It only took about 7 months and the in-laws got their green cards. It's not difficult but I would recommend a lawyer because if you screw up any answers on the AOS petition you will be screwed.

Two questions:

1) Your wife first had to obtain US Citizenship to start the process for her parents, right ?

2) What is the term/period for their Green Cards;  2 years, 10 years, or no time period specified ?

Thanks

[Steamer]

Two questions:

1) Your wife first had to obtain US Citizenship to start the process for her parents, right ?

2) What is the term/period for their Green Cards;  2 years, 10 years, or no time period specified ?

Thanks

1) Yep - She's been a citizen for about 15 yrs.
2) 10 yrs.

[ML]

Thanks for your reply.

But can you address directly the idea that she (1) could or (2) could not have sponsored them for Green Card before she became a citizen.

[alex330]

The downside I am told is that they must enter the US every six months or risk losing their status. Not sure if that info is correct or not....

[Steamer]

Thanks for your reply.

But can you address directly the idea that she (1) could or (2) could not have sponsored them for Green Card before she became a citizen.

Yes, you must be a citizen to sponsor a relative. It's one of the perks of citizenship

[Steamer]

The downside I am told is that they must enter the US every six months or risk losing their status. Not sure if that info is correct or not....

Yes that is true. They must stay in the US for at least 6 mos. a year.

[cc3]

Yes that is true. They must stay in the US for at least 6 mos. a year.

Stay in the US 6 mos/year or simply reenter the US every 6 months?

[BillyB]

Stay in the US 6 mos/year or simply reenter the US every 6 months?

If a green card holder is found living in another country more than in the USA, the green card can be taken away from them.

[Sailor291]

They cannot be out of the country for more than 11 months at a time.  My MIL has had Green Card for a long time and we know this detail.  She returns to Ukraine for 10 mo then comes back and stays with us for 3-6 mo each time.  Never any problems. 

[BillyB]

They cannot be out of the country for more than 11 months at a time.  My MIL has had Green Card for a long time and we know this detail.  She returns to Ukraine for 10 mo then comes back and stays with us for 3-6 mo each time.  Never any problems.

According to the website below, the green card can be pulled if the holder is out of country for an extended period of time unless it's a temporary absence.  A green card can allow it's holder to leave for a year and return without the need of an additional re entry permit. By your MIL repeating the process often, her absence becomes less temporary and more routine and one day she could be accused of living overseas.




http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence




The website below recommends green card holders sleep more nights in America than overseas to be safe. Your MIL may be fine practicing her routine for the next few years but she should know that she is still risking her green card.




http://lawandborder.com/risk-abandoning-green-card-abroad-6-months/

[ML]

Yes, you must be a citizen to sponsor a relative. It's one of the perks of citizenship

Billy, what do you think of this ?

[BillyB]

Steamer is right and wrong. An American citizen has the ability to sponsor a wide variety of relatives but a green card holder living in America has the ability to sponsor relatives too. Not every relative of the green card holder can be sponsored though so a green card holder has less perks than an American citizen. In Steamer's MIL and FIL case, his wife must be an American citizen to AOS them.




http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/familybasedimmigration/categories.html

[Steamer]

Steamer is right and wrong. An American citizen has the ability to sponsor a wide variety of relatives but a green card holder living in America has the ability to sponsor relatives too. Not every relative of the green card holder can be sponsored though so a green card holder has less perks than an American citizen. In Steamer's MIL and FIL case, his wife must be an American citizen to AOS them.


http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/familybasedimmigration/categories.htm

Let me try to unjumble this.


A GC holder in the US can legally sponsor a relative HOWEVER it will take forever (if ever). This is why FSU women will wait until they get their citizenship before filing for relatives.

[BC]

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Let me try to unjumble this.


A GC holder in the US can legally sponsor a relative HOWEVER it will take forever (if ever). This is why FSU women will wait until they get their citizenship before filing for relatives.

Here in EU, or at least IT a GC holder can sponsor immediate relatives and it's not that long a process.  My wife is now a citizen so we're going to apply for permanent residence for MIL during her upcoming visit at least to not have the visa hassle every year or two.  Will see and let y'all know how it goes on this side of the pond.

[BillyB]

A GC holder in the US can legally sponsor a relative HOWEVER it will take forever (if ever). This is why FSU women will wait until they get their citizenship before filing for relatives.

Actually lawful permanent residents have some priorities to bringing their family members with the second family preference over American citizens bringing over certain family members that qualify in the third and fourth family preference. The fastest way to get a green card is to get your family member a tourist visa and AOS them while they're in America. Immigration will leapfrog them over everybody to get them a green card.




http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/familybasedimmigration/preference-categories.html

[Steamer]

Actually lawful permanent residents have some priorities to bringing their family members with the second family preference over American citizens bringing over certain family members that qualify in the third and fourth family preference.

I doubt this very much.

[Steamer]

Well the parents will get their Soc Sec cards in 4-6 weeks. We went to the SS office and submitted the papers. Other than the hassle of getting papers notarized it was easy peasy.

[Anotherkiwi]

Here in EU, or at least IT a GC holder can sponsor immediate relatives and it's not that long a process.  My wife is now a citizen so we're going to apply for permanent residence for MIL during her upcoming visit at least to not have the visa hassle every year or two.  Will see and let y'all know how it goes on this side of the pond.

BC, do you mean that your wife is now a citizen of Italy or of the United States?