Green Card is the permanent resident card that is issued to a foreign national who has immigrated permanently to the United States. As many foreign nationals think, immigrating to America and getting a Green Card to remain permanently in the country is not an easy task. The United States welcomes foreign nationals but at the same time it focuses on lawful immigration. And so, it issues Green Cards to foreign nationals as a proof of their legal immigration status in the United States.
Various rights are granted to the people who become permanent residents of the United States. Many rights that are similar to those granted to US citizens are granted to the Green Card holders. Foreign nationals who are liable to such rights will be protected by all the American laws. As far as they do no not commit crimes that might result in deportation, they may reside in any American state. Moreover, they will be given the right to work for any US employer, except the employers who hire only US citizens.
US citizens are allowed to sponsor their family members. Though the Green Card holders may not sponsor all the categories of relatives, they may sponsor their immediate relatives such as their spouse and unmarried children, for permanent resident status in the United States. The US immigration law allows the permanent residents to sponsor their relatives in order to promote family unity.
Moreover, you may apply for and receive financial aids from the government for educational purposes. And you may also pay less in-state tuition fees which is four times lesser than what the foreign nationals pay. You will also be eligible to receive social security benefits. Though you are not a US citizen and only a permanent resident, you may own property in the United States and you may also start and run a business in the country.
If you wish to become a US citizen, you may apply for naturalization, a process through which eligible permanent residents may become US citizens. However, to become a naturalized American citizen, you will have to satisfy some eligibility requirements. If you do not want to become a US citizen, you may remain permanently in the country as a permanent resident, provided that you do not abandon your status. If you choose to be a permanent resident, forever, remember that you must renew your Green Card every ten years.
Moreover, future changes to the US immigration laws will not affect your permanent resident status in the United States. Except the right to vote in the US elections, as a Green Card holder, you will be granted most of the other rights. Though various rights are granted to the permanent residents, it must be remembered that the permanent resident card is a revocable privilege, as a Green Card holder is likely to be deported from the country, if the immigration officers find that he is ineligible for lawful status. Hence, it is mandatory to retain the status that is granted to you.