The last couple of days I have been assisting a few of the first refugee families with their "Green Card" application process. It's one of the major steps towards becoming a citizen of the United States after 5 years and jumping through all the legal hoops. The families are nervous and make sure every word is correct on the forms because they don't want to be sent back to Burma, as one of the mothers put it. They live with a sense of trepidation, thinking that something is going to go wrong and they will be sent back. I told Lee that she didn't have to worry...we want them here, the government brought their family here and want to help them become legal citizens. In the office while we were waiting, I talked with a African from Nigeria, studying Nuclear medicine and a father and daughter (7 year old girl) from China. All of them happy to be in America but obviously miss home too. I have such respect for these families that work so hard, endure so much just to have what we are born with...opportunity and freedom.What is a Green Card:
A United States Permanent Resident Card, also green card, is an identification card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the United States of America. Green card also refers to an immigration process of becoming a permanent resident. The green card serves as a proof that its holder, a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), has been officially granted immigration benefits, which include permission to conditionally reside and take employment in the USA. The holder must maintain his permanent resident status, and can be removed if certain conditions of such status are not met. An LPR can apply for United States citizenship after 5 years of being in the permanent resident status through the process of naturalization (or after only 3 years if married to a US citizen). Citizens are entitled to more rights (and obligations) than permanent residents (who are still classified as aliens in this respect). Some of the rights include: the right to vote; the right to be elected in federal and state elections; the ability to bring family members to the US; and eligibility for federal government jobs. Other citizenship benefits include no visa requirement for several countries in the world. Certain conditions that may put a permanent resident in the deportation proceedings do not apply to US citizens.
4 comments:
Okay, one question. You all are going to think it's stupid and that I missed the point and, yes yes I know. But I've wanted to know for a very long time.
Is it an actual card that is green? Like, a green drivers license or something?
More to the point. Praise God! Very exciting and awesome news.
The name "green card" comes from the fact that the predecessor, Alien Registration Receipt Card (form I-151) introduced at the end of World War II, was printed on green paper.[1] Form I-551 was adopted in 1977 and has been printed on paper of various colors, none of which were green, but the term "green card" has nonetheless remained in use. As of 2006, the card is mostly yellowish-white and the only prominent green feature is the background of the lettering on the back. A card includes the holder's name and photograph, and other information, and has been updated over the years with numerous anti-counterfeiting devices.
Remind them if they do get sent back, at least it's warmer here! -Matt
In that case, maybe I'll head over.
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