The Benefits of Green Card Along with Responsibilities and Limitations

A US green card allows an individual to live, study, and work in the United States. In addition, it is considered as the naturalized beginning process to become a US citizen. Every year, the country issues more than 1 million green cards to people. Well, the benefits of green cards are many and this is the reason why more and more people apply for them. Want to know about them? Read the blog and get answers to your questions. Apart from this, it also consists of the responsibilities and limitations that come along with the green card. So, read on and gather some information about it.

What Are the Public Benefits of Green Card Holders in the USA?

Over a visa the benefits of green cards are many. The first one is it allows the cardholder to live and work permanently in the country. In addition, after some years you can become a US citizen. With this, the following are the other advantages included with the green card holders:

Right to Work

With any US employer, green card holders can accept work without applying for a separate work permit. In addition, they also do not need to get sponsored by an employer to get a job in the US. Apart from this, without any discrimination, the employer treats you the same as other employees and obeys the labor rules.

Eligible for Employment Benefits

If you are working at a paying job and lose that without your own mistake you have the right as any worker to get the unemployment perks. It is different from a "public benefit." This is because it is not a type of government-provided support but is an insurance program. In this, employers pay an amount in the country, with slightly varying rules in each state.

Travel Rights

Whether you want to travel in the US or to other nations, the green card provides you fairly easy access. However, there are some exceptions related to it. If you stay too long outside the country you will be considered abandoned. In addition, if you commit a crime or do something inadmissible in the country in that case also you lose your green card.

Sponsor the Green Card to Family Members

The green card allows you to sponsor the petition for a family-based green card application. The family members of US citizens generally get priority over the family members of green card holders or immigrant visa holders. It means that family members of the non-citizen green card holder have to wait longer for a green card. In addition, family members who are eligible to get sponsorship include parents, spouses, siblings, and children. The children and spouses of those relatives are also eligible for green card sponsorship. However, the priority is given to immediate relatives like spouses and unmarried children.

Right to Study with In-state Tuition

Having a green card by your side allows you to study in a US school or transfer between schools without a foreign student visa or permission. Also, you pay the resident tuition or interstate tuition rates that are generally lower than the fee of a foreign student. In addition, you also become eligible to apply for the government Pell grants and unsubsidized and subsidized student loans.

Route to US Citizenship

After meeting various requirements like both having a green card and living in the country for a minimum time the cardholders can apply for US citizenship. A US citizenship is a much more safe and secure status than a green card. In addition, it protects you from the possibility of departing from the country. In several cases, it takes at least five years to become eligible for citizenship. However, it is three years for those who get married to and live with a US citizen all that time. Apart from this, during this time you do not need to give citizenship of your home country.

Eligible to Get Federal Benefits

As a green card holder, you become eligible to receive federal benefits. It includes social security benefits and financial aid for higher education sponsored by the government. You also receive resident or in-state tuition rates at specific universities or colleges.

Chance to Engage in Politics

While being a green card holder you can not vote in state, federal, or local elections. However, you can be a volunteer or financial contributor for a campaign in any US election.

These are the several benefits of green cards for cardholders. Moving ahead, let's know the eligibility factors to get the public benefits of a green card.

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What Factors Decide the Eligibility for Public Benefits of Green Card to the Cardholder?

Well, do you know having a green card by your side offers you public benefits too in the US? However, for this, some factors determine who becomes eligible for that. Want to know about them? Read below and get the information:

• When you get permanent resident status from a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
• How the LPR provides the permanent resident status
• The state or the country where the LPR lives in
• Whether the LPR has permission to work in the US for "40 quarters"
• Whether "deeming rules" is applicable or not. Under this, the income of the sponsor of the LPR is also counted when figuring out whether the LPR can get the public benefits.

Apart from this, it is assumed that the LPR got the status on or after 22 August 1996. It is the date when the more restrictive immigrant rules to access public benefits come into play. In addition, he/she did not belong to any of the following categories to which specific rules apply:

• Victims of human trafficking
• Refugee
• Holding of removal recipient
• Asylee
• Special Amerasian immigrant
• Special Haitian/Cuban immigrant
• U.S. military veteran
• Afghan or Iraqi special immigrant visa holder (SIV)
• Native Americans born outside the country
• Abused children or spouse of a US citizen or permanent resident
• Spouse of a member of the US military
• Active-duty member of the US military
• Surviving child of a US military member
• Surviving, unmarried spouse of a US military deceased member

These are the eligibility factors that decide whether the green card holder should receive public benefits or not. Moving further, let's know the financial benefits of green cards that green card holders receive in the US.

Financial Benefits of Green Card

The US green card holders are eligible for several financial benefits. It includes:

• If the green card holders reside in the country long enough they become eligible for social security benefits.
• Apart from this, green card holders can apply for education financial aid sponsored by the US government. In addition, also become eligible for resident or in-state tuition rates at certain universities and colleges.
• Retired green card holders become eligible to apply for Medicare and other welfare programs related to social events.
• Furthermore, retired green card holders also get access to the pensions earned both in the United States and abroad.

These are the financial benefits of green cards that the cardholders receive. With this, moving ahead, let's know the responsibilities associated with a green card holder.

What Responsibilities Associated with Green Card Holders in the USA?

After getting a green card besides the benefits you do get some responsibilities. As a US legal permanent resident, you need to fulfill the following accountabilities:

• Like U.S. citizens, green card holders need to file income tax returns. In addition, they need to report their income to the state tax authorities and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• The green card holders are obligated to follow the laws of their local jurisdictions, residence state, and the United States.
• If you are male aged between 18 to 25 years need to register yourself for the Selective Services. (Note: Since 1973, the US has not had a draft).
• Like US citizens, green card holders cannot take part in any attempts to change the government through illegal means.
• At all times green card holders need to carry a valid green card. Not having a green card by your side can keep you up to 30 days in jail.

These are the following responsibilities as a green card holder you need to fulfill in the US. In addition, it is advisable to keep yourself updated with the laws related to green card holders. With this, moving forward, let's know the limitations of becoming a green card holder.

Limitations of Becoming a Green Card Holder

While having a green card by your side allows you to work and live in the United States. In addition, you enjoy some of the same benefits as the US citizen but as you are not a US citizen you did not receive the full rights like them. There are some limitations that as a green card holder you face. These are as follows:

• As a green card holder, you do not have voting rights like the US citizens.
• Like the US citizens, the green card holders did not get high a priority in sponsoring the family members for the card.
• Every 10 years, you need to renew your green card.
• Green cards are non-transferable. In addition, these are not automatically extended to children born outside the country.
• Green card holders who permanently leave the country after 8 years or more need to pay existing and expatriation taxes. It would apply to a citizen of the US renouncing their citizenship.
• If a green card holder commits a certain crime or anything illegal in the eyes of the government, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot save you from deportation.
• You cannot run for a US political office.
• Until you become a citizen of the United States you cannot get a US passport.

These are the following limitations that come across with a green card status. Keeping aside them, the benefits of green cards are more. Also, it is a good option to live in the country for the long term or become a US citizen.

Conclusion

In last, despite the limitations and responsibilities, the benefits of green cards are many. Having this by your side helps you work and live freely in the country. In addition, it provides you with several perks like financial and social advantages and more. Not sure how to begin this process? Get a visa consultation with Visament. We are for individuals who want the expertise of an immigration consultant, not the price tag. So, do connect with us today and get the best assistance for your NRI services.