If you are ready to take the next step toward lawful permanent residence, a Scottsdale green card lawyer at Mendoza Law may be able to help you pursue the path that fits your situation
Understanding your green card options starts with knowing which category applies to your case and what the process looks like from start to finish. Contact Mendoza Law today to speak with our Scottsdale immigration lawyer to start your green card application.
Family-Based Green Cards
Family relationships are the most common basis for green card petitions in the United States. The category you fall into depends on your relationship to the sponsoring U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and whether that relationship falls under the immediate relative category or one of the family preference categories.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21, are not subject to annual visa caps. This means their cases can move forward as soon as the petition is approved and the application is complete. Family preference categories, by contrast, are subject to annual limits and can involve longer wait times depending on demand.
Lawful permanent residents can also sponsor certain family members, though the categories available to them are more limited than those available to U.S. citizens. Our team reviews your family relationships carefully to identify the strongest petition available to you.
The following are the family preference categories recognized under U.S. immigration law:
- First preference: unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Second preference A: spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents
- Second preference B: unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older of lawful permanent residents
- Third preference: married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Fourth preference: brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens
Employment-Based Green Cards in Scottsdale
Employment-based green cards are available to foreign nationals who have a qualifying job offer from a U.S. employer or who meet certain criteria based on their skills or achievements. These cases typically require the employer to take an active role in the petition process, including obtaining labor certification in many cases.
The employment-based categories are divided into preference levels, with higher-priority categories reserved for individuals with advanced degrees, exceptional ability, or roles that are difficult to fill with U.S. workers. Lower preference categories cover skilled workers, professionals, and certain unskilled workers in occupations with demonstrated shortages.
Processing times for employment-based cases vary depending on the category and the applicant’s country of birth. Our Scottsdale green card attorneys work closely with both applicants and their employers to make sure every step of the process is handled accurately and on time.
Maintaining Your Permanent Resident Status
Receiving a green card is a significant milestone, but it also comes with ongoing responsibilities. Permanent residents are expected to maintain continuous residence in the United States and to comply with all applicable laws. Failing to meet these obligations can put your status at risk.
One of the most important things to understand is that a green card can be lost. Extended absences from the United States, certain criminal convictions, and failure to file required follow-up petitions can all result in the loss of permanent resident status. Knowing your obligations from the start helps you protect what you have worked to achieve.
Our team advises clients not only on how to obtain permanent residence but also on how to maintain it. We want your green card to be the foundation of a stable, secure future in the United States.
The following are key responsibilities that come with holding a green card:
- Maintaining a primary residence in the United States
- Carrying your green card and presenting it when required by law
- Filing U.S. tax returns as a resident, even if you spend time abroad
- Notifying USCIS of address changes within ten days of moving
- Renewing your green card before it expires, typically every ten years
Why Scottsdale Residents Trust Mendoza Law
Since 2016, Mendoza Law has helped over 100,000 clients pursue their immigration goals. With a team of 1,400 employees and over 100 years of combined legal experience, we bring focused attention and strategic thinking to every case we accept.
Our green card lawyers serving Scottsdale are selective about the cases we take. Before we move forward with any file, our team conducts a thorough review to confirm that your case is strong and that we are the right fit to represent you. That process protects you from the start and gives you confidence that we are fully committed when we agree to take your case.
Our anti-fraud auditing process reinforces that commitment. Every file we handle is reviewed for integrity before we proceed, which means your case is built on a foundation we stand behind completely. At Mendoza Law, we fight for clients whose cases deserve a fair and honest path forward.
Take the Next Step With a Scottsdale Green Card Lawyer
If you are ready to pursue permanent residence in the Scottsdale area, Mendoza Law is here to help you move forward with a strategy built around your specific situation. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and find out whether you may qualify for a green card.
Attorney Maria and our legal team will review your case, answer your questions, and work with you to identify the strongest path available. As your green card lawyer serving Scottsdale, we are here to fight for the permanent future you have been working toward.