How can an immigrant gain legal permanent residence in the U.S.?

Immigrants can gain legal permanent residence in the United States through a few different paths. One way is to apply for a green card, which stands for a permanent resident card. To be eligible for a green card, immigrants must have either an immediate family member that is a U.S. citizen or a job offer from an American employer. If you fall into any of these categories, you will need to apply for your green card and wait for it to be approved. You could also gain legal permanent residence through a process called Adjustment of Status. This process is for people who are already in the United States and are eligible for a green card. You will need to fill out an application called Form I-485, which will allow you to adjust your immigration status. A third way to gain legal permanent residence is if you have been granted asylum or refugee status. In order to qualify for this, you must have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country due to your race, religion, political opinion, or nationality. If your application is approved, you will be granted asylum or refugee status and you can apply for a green card. Finally, an immigrant could gain legal permanent residence through the Diversity Visa Lottery. The U.S. Department of State runs this lottery annually and it is open to people from certain countries. If you are selected in the lottery, you will be granted a visa and allowed to enter the United States. From there, you can apply for permanent residence.

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Un inmigrante puede conseguir el estatus de residente permanente legal en los Estados Unidos de varias maneras. Estas incluyen la obtención de una visa de inmigrante, la petición de un familiar que ya sea un ciudadano americano o residente legal y el ajuste de estatus. Una visa de inmigrante se otorga a aquellos que califican bajo una categoría específica de inmigración. Estas incluyen entre ellas inversionistas, empleados extranjeros especializados, empleados temporales, médicos, religiosos y refugiados. Una familia inmediata también puede presentar una petición de inmigración para solicitar la residencia legal para alguien. El ajuste de estatus le permite a una persona legal que se encuentra temporalmente en los Estados Unidos establecer su residencia permanente aquí. Esto se aplica a algunos visitantes con estatus de visa legal, estudiantes, empleados temporales, asilados, refugiados y beneficiarios de una amnistía. Los ciudadanos estadounidenses también pueden presentar una petición de alienígena para obtener la residencia legal de un cónyuge extranjero. En el estado de Maryland, los inmigrantes también pueden recibir una tarjeta verde a través de algunos programas como DACA y el estatus de Protección Temporal.

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