Legal Definitions - permanent resident

A permanent resident, often referred to as a "green card" holder or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), is an individual who is not a U.S. citizen but has been legally authorized to live and work indefinitely within the United States. This status grants them many of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, with some key distinctions.

Key characteristics of a permanent resident include:

• They possess official documentation, commonly known as a "green card," proving their authorized status.
• They can live anywhere in the U.S. and work for any employer without needing additional work permits.
• They are permitted to own property, attend schools, and receive certain types of financial assistance.
• They may join the U.S. armed forces.
• After meeting specific residency and other requirements, they are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through a process called naturalization.
• However, permanent residents do not have the right to vote in U.S. federal, state, or most local elections.
• Their status can be revoked under certain circumstances, such as committing serious crimes or spending an extended period (generally more than one year) outside the United States without proper authorization.

Individuals typically obtain permanent resident status through various pathways, including sponsorship by family members who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, employment-based petitions from U.S. employers, or humanitarian programs.

Examples:

• Family-Based Sponsorship: Maria, a citizen of Brazil, married David, a U.S. citizen. After successfully navigating the immigration process, Maria was granted a "green card." This means Maria is now a permanent resident of the United States. She can live with David in New York, work as a graphic designer for any company, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting the required timeframes and other criteria. However, she cannot vote in U.S. elections.

• Employment-Based Immigration: Dr. Chen, a highly skilled medical researcher from Taiwan, was offered a position at a leading research institution in California. The institution sponsored his application for permanent residency, recognizing his valuable expertise. Upon approval, Dr. Chen received his green card, allowing him to permanently reside in the U.S. and continue his groundbreaking research without needing to renew temporary work visas. He enjoys the stability of knowing he can build a long-term career and life in the U.S., with the option to pursue citizenship later.

• Humanitarian Adjustment of Status: Omar fled his war-torn home country and was granted refugee status in the United States. After living in the U.S. for one year as a refugee, Omar applied to adjust his status to that of a permanent resident. Once approved, he received his green card. This change in status provides Omar with greater security and fewer restrictions than his initial refugee status, allowing him to travel more freely, pursue higher education, and establish a permanent life for himself and his family in the U.S., with the ultimate goal of becoming a U.S. citizen.