US Lists 4 Responsibilities Every Foreigner Must Fulfil After Getting Green Card
- The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services outlined the legal obligations that come with permanent residency
- Green Card holders are required to comply with tax laws, obey all federal and local statutes, and in some cases register with the Selective Service
- Permanent residents also gain a set of rights under US law, though certain privileges remain exclusive to citizens
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a clear breakdown of what it expects from foreigners who have been granted permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card.
According to USCIS, obtaining a Green Card does not simply grant the holder the freedom to live and work in the country. It also comes with a defined set of legal duties that every permanent resident is expected to meet.
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4 Key Responsibilities for Green Card Holders
1. The first obligation is straightforward: permanent residents must obey all laws at every level of government, including federal, state, and local regulations. There are no exemptions based on nationality or immigration status.
2. The second requirement relates to taxes. Green Card holders must file income tax returns and report their earnings to the US Internal Revenue Service as well as the relevant state tax authorities, in the same manner as American citizens.
3. Third, permanent residents are expected to support the democratic structure of the United States government. USCIS is careful to clarify, however, that this does not extend to voting. Green Card holders are not permitted to cast votes in federal, state, or local elections.
4. The fourth responsibility applies specifically to male permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 25. This group is required to register with the Selective Service, the government body that maintains information on those who may be called upon in the event of a national military draft.
Rights That Come With Permanent Residency
Alongside those responsibilities, the USCIS also lists the rights that Green Card holders are entitled to. Permanent residents may live in the United States indefinitely, provided they do not engage in conduct that would make them removable under immigration law.
They are also permitted to work in any legal occupation that matches their qualifications and preferences, though USCIS notes that certain positions tied to national security may be restricted to US citizens only.
Additionally, permanent residents are entitled to protection under all applicable laws, covering federal statutes as well as those of the state and local jurisdictions where they reside.
US announces eligibility for Green Card application
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the United States government published a list of eight categories of people who qualify to apply for a permanent resident card, commonly known as a Green Card.
Eligibility ranges from family ties to US citizenship and employment in specialised fields to refugee or asylum status and victims of abuse.
Source: Legit.ng
