Is this just for persons who have employers willing to file for them as Green Card holders, or just to work and not to file for them?  What are the options for others who have no employer to file for them?
137394
Key provisions of the Senate's main immigration bill would create a "gold card" program for illegal immigrants who entered the United States before Jan. 4, 2004, and create a guest worker program to bring in more foreign laborers, according to Senate Judiciary Committee staff members.\n\nThe committee is to begin debating the measure Wednesday under a three-week timetable aimed at producing a final version for the full Senate by March 27.\n\nSponsored by the committee chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the legislation is designed to strike a middle course between a bill passed by the House that calls for tougher immigration enforcement and the wishes of pro-immigration advocates who call for permanent legal status -- and eventual citizenship -- for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.\n\nPresident Bush, defying objections from conservatives, has called for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws and the creation of a temporary guest worker program to ensure a steady source of labor for U.S. businesses. Under Bush's plan, qualified workers, including residents now living here illegally, could stay in jobs for up to six years, then would be required to return home.In a move to build support for Bush's guest worker amnesty plan, administration officials talked about how they would actually implement the program. Jaws dropped as the administration reps explained the centerpiece of the program, a "Gold Card" that would enable illegal aliens to enter the U.S. at will, and work at any job with no labor market or other tests needed but would deny them citizenship. "Gold Card" would be valid forever, similar to current "Green Cards" but illegal aliens holding a "Gold Card" would not be able to adjust their status through naturalization.
326812
Generally, because you have a child who has the US citizenship due to the birth in the US, does not grant you the US citizenship at all.  I have not heard any cases due to a sole reason that a parent was granted the permanent residency status, because the child was the US citizen.  (I caution you that I do not practice immigration law full time, however)\n\nHaving said that, your status as being a student (assuming legally student for 5 years) should not affect your green card application status, barring some unknown facts.   I suggest you apply for the permanent residency through the work permit (H-1) or apply for the lottery program (50,000 slots every year for qualified applicants).
467906
1. You can always have a new employer file an H-1B application for you. You can change jobs as soon as the new employer files an H-1B petition for you. Your authorization to work for the new employer begins when the application is filed and ends when the application is denied. Obviously, if it's approved your H-1B remains valid. (AC21) \n\n2. If your green card is being sponsored by your current employer, the application will live even if you do not work for the employer as long as they don't revoke it, but you may have difficulties with USCIS if you leave your current employer. If it's approved, you will need to return to work for your old employer. A new employer can file PERM for you, but you will lose the priority date from any earlier filed application. If you stay at the current employer, once your I-140 is approved, AC21 says you can move to another job that is the same description at a new employer once your I-485 has been pending for 6 months. \n\n3. TN is restricted to 63 (more or less) defined jobs and is available only to Mexican or Canadian nationals. Also, TN is not a dual-intent category, so an entry after having an I-140 filed for you would be complicated by the difficulty in showing you are a bona fide non-immigrant. The only advantages to TN are that it is renewable indefinitely, but in 1 year increments, and it doesn't require a labor certification.\n\n4. If your spouse is in LPR (green card) status, s/he can sponsor you. File form I-130 (second preference - F2A). The current processing for a visa in category F2A is applications filed before March 1, 2002 (Dec. 2006 visa bulletin). That means you're looking at something like 4 years for a green card.\n\nBest advice - call a reputable (AILA member) immigration attorney.
297447
First thing to clarify is that a person with H-1B visa is not an immigrant because H-1B is a non-immigrant visa.  You can stay in the US as long as you have the job for which you got your H-1B.  Since, H-1B is issued for a specific employer you cannot go doing your ownn business.
132742
The question is: Would I hire an American to work? I would totally not hire an American to work, I would go for an immigrant, not just necessary illegal, but any kind and specially Hispanic. I mean they work the best, why would I not? \n\nThey have the right to work, to fight for their life, to have better life, I would
508625
The types of visas others have recommended do NOT lead to permanent residency - they are strictly non-immigrant visas.\n\nHere is information on employment-based immigration:\nhttp://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html
318210
I totally agree with you.  By law, employers aren't supposed to hire anyone who cannot legally work in the United States.  When one is hired, one fills out paperwork and gives the documentation proving that they were either born or naturalized US citizens or that they are legally able to work in this country.\n\nThe employers who hire the illegal immigrants are doing so by not filling out any of the paperwork, which is a criminal offense, and paying all of their labor in cash.  \n\nKeep in mind that no paperwork means no payroll taxes of any kind (FICA, Social Security, Medicare, etc.) are being paid by or on behalf of these illegal workers.   This means that no contributions are being made into the system from which these people will be expecting to draw benefits.
656261
How easy or difficult obtaining a green card can be depends greatly on a person's individual situation. Some individuals will apply for a greencard through family immigration. Employment immigration also gives people the opportunity to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.\n\nMethods of Obtaining a Green Card\nA person can apply to become a permanent resident based on having a relative who is either a lawful permanent resident or a US citizen. The relative must first file the petition and it has to be approved. Once an immigrant visa number is available you can apply to have one assigned to you.\n\nEmployment can also allow a person to apply for a greencard. There is a multi-step process that is quite complex and can vary depending on the petitioner's qualifications, as well as which visa he or she applies for. The employer must complete a labor certification request for the applicant to be either granted or denied. \n\nObtaining a green card can also occur during the Diversity Program which is a green card lottery. This program began in 1994 and allows 50,000 new permanent residents enter the United States each year. The Diversity Program specifically allocates more visas, though randomly, to countries that have provided few immigrants to the US in recent years.\n\n\n\nUS-Immigration law is an extremely complex field where most people need the advise and services of an expert. Green Card Support Service has co-operated with a number of excellent Immigration Attorneys in the USA. We are glad to recommend and to provide you with the details of one of the best immigration lawyers in the USA. \n\nMr.\n\nClemens Pauly\n\nAttorney at law in Germany and the USA\n\nwww.cpauly.com
71843
Hi, I'm a Canadian working in the US.  It is very difficult to get a work visa  here.  You have to be able to show that there are no Americans who can legitimately do the work you're doing, or have a corporate sponsor in the States to file the visa paperwork on your behalf.  Even with that, until you can get a green card (and that took me 7 yrs, even being married to an American), you need to renew your visa periodically (I believe it's yearly).  Go to the INS website (I think they're under the Dept. of Justice now), but it'll take a lot.  BTW, I am still a canadian citizen.
45330
The site mentioned above is really an advertising site that looks on the surface like a government site.\n\nTo go to the actual U.S. government site with information on Permanent Residency (green cards), visit this site:\n\nhttp://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/index.htm
180143
I seriously doubt it! lol, I think if it would only be for those who weren't caught and have a certain length of time working and living here in the u.s. I think the amnesty part may be for the parents of "anchor" babies. (children of illegal immigrant parents). I think the rest will prob. only get a temporary work permit for like 3 years or something, and then they will have to reapply for it again. It's pretty much up in the air as to IF it will be passed. President Bush said that the 'undocumented' workers will have to get to the back of the line when it comes to the immigration process. It'll prob. be YEARS before you could become a  resident much less a citizen. It's not going to be as easy as it sounds.
203981
My husband is in the same situation as you.   He is still waiting for his interview  and has been fingerprinted.   He has not even gotten his work permit yet.  He is bored also sitting  at home.   I tell him that it is just a process and soon you will get it.  You can go online to www.USCIS.gov to check the status of your case by the receipt number.
55987
Most likely it is for tax reasons.  Once you become a citizen you are obligated to pay taxes.  So it makes sense to give "them" greencards and citizenship.\n\nWhy after a certain period of time?  Probably because of a statute of limitations on the crime of crossing the border without legal paperwork. (being here for 3 year isn't a crime - crossing the border illegally is)\n\nI am not 100% sure, but this is what I think based on what I hear on the news and my stint working as a recruiter.
126427
Well I'm assuming your are a US citizen and wanting to sponsor your spouse to gain US permanent residency. I'm also assuming that your spouse is already in the US under a non-immigrant status and you are already married. In that case you need to file the following forms:\n\n1) I-130 to sponsor his/her residency\n2) I-485 to change/register his/her permanent residency\n3) I-765 for a work permit (this only if him/her wants to work while waiting for the paperwork to process, once a green card is received a work permit is not needed)\n\nYou can find the forms and explanations here:\nhttp://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm
399930
No, you cannot work. Nor can you change it into a permanent resident visa.
133604
No way!!  Some people have a choice of whether to work or not, such as the wealthy.  Sometimes they don't have a choice, most of us, and we work. If we don't work and don't have a good reason for not working,  we do without food  and housing (homeless). If we are disabled, have mental problems or severe illnesses, we have Government assistance for them. If a single parent, with low income, of a child under school age needs to stay home, he/she can get assistance and not work. OF COURSE they would remain CITIZENS.\n\nWhere would they deport a USA citizen to if the USA is their home of origin?
477633
Yes, you will find it nearly impossible.  It's already extremely hard for writers to find jobs as it is, and if you don't have an employment pass or green card, it is extremely unlikely that you'll find a company that will sponsor a green card application for you.\n\nOn the other hand, this shouldn't keep you from trying, because if you don't, you'll spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been.