Karen V.

Amabile, Attorney at Law

1
 Table of Contents

Introduction Page 2
Family Based Immigration Page 3
Employment Based Immigration Page 6
Green Card Diversity Lottery Page 10
Investors Page 12
Adoption Page 13
Registry Page 14
U.S. Armed Forces Service Page 15
Diplomats Page 16
Asylum Page 17
Refugee Page 19
Special Immigrants Page 20
Adjustment of status Page 21
Don’t give up Page 22
Final Notes Page 23
About the Author Page 24

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 Introduction

There are more than 12 ways to obtain the right to permanently live
and work in the United States which is considered a lawful permanent
resident. This is commonly referred to as a “green card”. Becoming a
lawful permanent resident is also the first step on the path to U.S.
citizenship.
The most common paths to becoming a lawful permanent resident are
through family or employment based immigration processes however
as you will read in this book there are many more possibilities if you
are not eligible for family or employment based immigration.

There are 12 broad categories as outlined below. Many of these

categories provide for multiple possibilities so it is important to read
through all of them to see which is the best choice for your unique
circumstances.

1. Family Based Immigration

2. Employment Based Immigration
3. Green Card Diversity Lottery
4. Investors
5. Adoption
6. Registry
7. U.S. Armed Forces Service
8. Diplomats
9.   Asylum
10.  Refugee
11.  Special Immigrants
12. Adjustment of status

The length of time it takes to be granted lawful permanent resident

status varies depending on the type of visa. It can range from
“immediate” to several years. Many times it is based on the
preference category assigned to your case. Updates to the waiting
periods for each preference category can be found at
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

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 Chapter 1

Way to get a Green Card # 1: Be Related to a U.S. Citizen or

Lawful Permanent Resident

The most frequently used way to become a lawful permanent resident

is based on the fact that you have a relative who is a citizen of the
United States, or a relative who is a lawful permanent resident. To
follow this path entails multiple steps and typically several years.

As a family member there are two distinct paths through which you
can get your green card. Many family members who are already in the
United States may qualify for adjustment of status to permanent
residence in the United States (see Chapter 12, Adjustment of Status).
In this case you are able to complete the immigrant processing
without having to return to your home country. If you live outside the
United States or are not eligible to adjust status in the United States
you may be eligible for consular processing through a U.S. embassy or
consulate abroad that has jurisdiction over your foreign place of
residence.

In order for a relative to sponsor you to immigrate to the United

States, they must meet the following criteria:
1. They must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
and be able to provide documentation proving that status.
2. They must prove that they can support you at 125% above the
mandated poverty line, by filling out an Affidavit of Support.
3. The relatives who may be sponsored as an immigrant vary
depending on whether the sponsor is a U.S. Citizen or a lawful
permanent resident.
4. If the sponsor is a U.S. Citizen, they may petition for the
following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the U.S:
 Husband or wife
 Unmarried child under 21 years of age
 Unmarried son or daughter over 21
 Married son or daughter of any age
 Brother or sister, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old, or
 Parent, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old.
5. If the sponsor is a lawful permanent resident, they may petition
for the following foreign national relatives to immigrate to the
U.S.:
 Husband or wife, or
 Unmarried son or daughter of any age.

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In addition to the relationships listed above, there are several special
categories for which you may be eligible. You may be able to become a
lawful permanent resident through a special family situation. These
adjustment of status programs are limited to individuals who meet
particular qualifications and/or apply during certain time frames.
Each of these have special requirements so if you think you may be
eligible for one of these categories it is advisable to consult a qualified
immigration attorney.
 The special categories include:
 Battered Spouse or Child (VAWA)
 K Nonimmigrant (includes fiancé(e))
 Person Born to a Foreign Diplomat in the United States
 V Nonimmigrant
 Widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen

The amount of time it takes to obtain a family sponsored visa

is based on the preference category assigned.

 Spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age and parents

of U.S. citizens have no waiting list. The U.S. Department of
State will invite them to apply for an immigrant visa as soon as
the I-130 petition is approved.

 First preference: Unmarried, adult sons and daughters of U.S.

citizens. Adult means 21 years of age or older.

 Second Preference: Spouses of lawful permanent residents, their

unmarried children (under twenty-one), and the unmarried sons
and daughters of lawful permanent residents.

 Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens.

 Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. Citizens.

Updates to the waiting periods can be found at

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

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Not married yet?

You may petition to bring your fiancé(e) and that person’s children to
the U.S for marriage. You must be a U.S. citizen, intend to marry
within 90 days of your fiancé’s entry into the U.S., both be free to
marry and have met in person within 2 years of filing the petition.
There are 2 exceptions to the meeting in person requirement: if this
requirement would violate strict and long-established customs of your
fiancé’s foreign culture or social practice or you can establish that the
requirement to personally meet your fiancé would result in an extreme
hardship to you.
If you met your fiancé or spouse through the services of an
international marriage broker you must notify the USCIS of that fact
and comply with the additional requirement of the International
Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA).
The USCIS is required to maintain a database to track repeated
petitions for K visas and will notify both the petitioner and the
beneficiary of the number of previously approved petitions in the
database.

Important Note: In all family based immigration applications,

the sponsor must be able to provide proof of the relationship.

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 Chapter 2

Way to get a Green Card # 2: Get a Job (Employment based)

The second most frequently used way to become a lawful permanent

resident is through a job or offer of employment. Some categories
require a certification from the U.S. Department of Labor to show that
there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and
available in the geographic area where the immigrant is to be
employed and that no American workers are displaced by foreign
workers. In other cases, highly skilled workers, those with
extraordinary ability in certain professions, and
investors/entrepreneurs are given priority to immigrate through
several immigrant categories (also see Chapter 4, Investors). In all
cases, the process involves several steps. 

Green Card Through a Job Offer

You may be eligible to become a lawful permanent resident based on
an offer of permanent employment in the United States. Most
categories require an employer to get a labor certification and then file
a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, for you.

Each employment category for admission has different requirements,

conditions and authorized periods of stay. It is important that you
adhere to the terms of your application or petition for admission and
visa. Any violation can result in removal or denial of re-entry into the
United States.

Some immigrant visa preferences require you to already have a job

offer from a U.S. employer. This employer will be considered your
sponsor. For some visa categories, before the U.S. employer can
submit an immigration petition to USCIS, the employer must obtain an
approved labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
The DOL labor certification verifies the following:

 There are insufficient available, qualified, and willing U.S.

workers to fill the position being offered at the prevailing wage
 Hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and
working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers

7
 

The table below shows the preference categories for the available visa
types.

Permanent Worker Visa Preference Categories (obtained from

www.uscis.gov)

Preferences General Description Labor Certification

Required?

First This preference is reserved No

Preference for persons of extraordinary
EB-1 ability in the sciences, arts,
education, business, or
athletics; outstanding
professors or researchers;
and multinational executives
and managers.  

Second This preference is reserved Yes, unless applicant

Preference for persons who are can obtain a national
EB-2 members of the professions interest waiver (See
holding advanced degrees or the “Labor
for persons with exceptional Certification”
ability in the arts, sciences, requirements at
or business. www.uscis.gov)

Third This preference is reserved Yes

Preference for professionals, skilled
EB-3 workers, and other workers.

Fourth This preference is reserved No

Preference for “special immigrants,”
EB-4 which includes certain
religious workers, employees
of U.S. foreign service posts,
retired employees of
international organizations,
alien minors who are wards

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 of courts in the United
States, and other classes of
aliens. 

Fifth This preference is reserved No

Preference for business investors who
EB-5 invest $1 million or
$500,000 (if the investment
See Way to is made in a targeted
get a Green employment area) in a new
Card # 4 commercial enterprise that
employs at least 10 full-time
U.S. workers.

 Green Card Through Self Petition

Some immigrant categories allow you to file for yourself (“self-
petition”). This option is available for either “Aliens of Extraordinary
Ability” or certain individuals granted a National Interest Waiver.  In
these two classifications of immigrant workers, you are not required to
have a job offer and may self-petition (you do not need an employer
to sponsor you).  You may NOT self petition based on employment, if
you are not in one of these two categories.

Who are these individuals of extraordinary ability?

They are people who are considered to be the best of the best in their
field and it is an eligibility category that applies to very few
individuals.  Examples of who may be considered an extraordinary
ability immigrant include Nobel Prize winners, notable professional
sports players, and others who have achieved great successes in their
field.

What does it take to get a National Interest Waiver?

A National Interest Waiver petition requests that the otherwise

required U.S. job offer requirement, and thus the labor certification
requirement, be waived for the sake of the "national interest of the
United States."

In order to file an NIW petition, a candidate with an "advanced degree"

or "exceptional ability" must be able to persuasively demonstrate that

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he/she seeks employment in an area of substantial intrinsic merit to
the U.S., that the benefit from the candidate's proposed activity will be
national in scope, and that the requirement of a Labor Certification for
the candidate will adversely affect the national interest.
Since the requirement of a job offer is waived, an individual, even if
he/she has no employer, may file an NIW petition on behalf of
himself/herself. A U.S. employer may file an NIW immigration
application on behalf of a person as well. Furthermore, an applicant
can also try to file other immigration petitions under other appropriate
categories while a National Interest Waiver petition is pending, such as
an EB-1(a) Extraordinary Ability petition.

Green Card Through Special Categories of Jobs

In addition, there are a number of specialized jobs that may allow you
to get a green card based on a past or current job. These adjustment
programs are limited to individuals who meet particular qualifications
and/or apply during certain time frames.

 Afghan/Iraqi Translator
 Broadcaster
 International Organization Employee
 Iraqi Who Assisted the U.S. Government
 NATO-6 Nonimmigrant
 Panama Canal Employee
 Physician National Interest Waiver
 Religious Worker

Each of these has special requirements so if you think you may be

eligible for one of these categories it is advisable to consult a qualified
immigration attorney.

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 Chapter 3

Way to get a Green Card # 3: Get Lucky (win in the annual

diversity lottery)

The congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is

administered on an annual basis by the Department of State and is
conducted under the Immigration and Nationality Act which provides
for a class of immigrants known as ―diversity immigrants. The lottery
provides a maximum of 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) each fiscal year
to be made available to persons from countries with low rates of
immigration to the United States. The registration period is typically
opened two years in advance and is only open for a limited length of
time. The annual DV program makes visas available to persons
meeting simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. A computer-
generated, random lottery drawing chooses selectees for DVs. The
visas are distributed among six geographic regions, with a greater
number of visas going to regions with lower rates of immigration, and
with no visas going to nationals of countries sending more than 50,000
immigrants to the United States over the period of the past five years.
Within each region, no single country may receive more than seven
percent of the available DVs in any one year.
The registration period for the Diversity Lottery for 2011 has closed
and the registration period for DV 2010 is scheduled to open in
October 2010.
For DV-2011, natives of the following countries were not eligible to
apply because the countries sent a total of more than 50,000
immigrants to the United States in the previous five years: BRAZIL,
CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HAITI,
INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, PERU, PHILIPPINES,
POLAND, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern
Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM. Persons
born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan were eligible. These
country restrictions are subject to change for 2012.

The Department of State implemented an electronic registration

system beginning with DV-2005 in order to make the DV process more
efficient and secure. The Department of State utilizes special
technology and other means to identify those who commit fraud for
the purposes of illegal immigration or those who submit multiple
entries.

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Diversity Visa Lottery 2012: The registration period for the 2010
Diversity Visa Lottery is scheduled to start in October 2010. Entrants
will apply on Form DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form
which will be available only during the DV open registration period.

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 Chapter 4

Way to get a Green Card # 4: Start or buy a business

(Investor)

If you are a foreign entrepreneur who can invest $500,000 in a

commercial enterprise in a targeted employment area that will benefit
the U.S economy and create at least 10 full-time US based jobs you
may apply to become a lawful permanent resident. A targeted
employment area is defined as a rural area or an area of high
unemployment of at least 150 percent of the national average. A rural
area is an area not within a metropolitan statistical area or not within
the outer boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000
or more. 

As an alternative you may apply to become a lawful permanent

resident if you can invest $1,000,000 in a commercial enterprise. In
this instance it need not be in a targeted area but it still must benefit
the U.S economy and create at least 10 U.S. based full-time jobs.

You may file the petition yourself if you have established a commercial
enterprise. You will need to show that you will engage in a managerial
or policy-making capacity, that you have invested or are actively in the
process of investing the amount required, the enterprise will benefit
the U.S. economy and that the enterprise will create full time
employment in the U.S. for at least 10 U.S. citizens, permanent
residents or other immigrants legally authorized to be employed in the
U.S. The employee count does not include yourself, your spouse,
sons, daughters or any nonimmigrants.

Instead of starting a new business you may consider purchasing an

established business which you re-organize into a new commercial
enterprise or expanding an existing business through investment of
the amount required above so that a substantial change (at least 40
percent) in either net worth, number of employees or both results.

Up to 10,000 visas may be authorized each fiscal year for eligible

entrepreneurs. With this visa the USCIS grants conditional residence to
the entrepreneur. After 2 years you can file a request with the USCIS
to remove the condition and make the residence permanent.

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 Chapter 5

Way to get a Green Card # 5: Adoption

Immigration through adoption, or “Intercountry adoption,” refers to

the adoption of a child born in one country by an adoptive parent living
in another country.

United States immigration law provides different processes through

which someone may immigrate on the basis of an intercountry
adoption. An individual may immigrate under one of these provisions
only if the individual’s adoption meets all the requirements of that
specific process. 

There are two separate processes which apply to children adopted by

U.S. citizens. The child may immigrate immediately after the adoption
or may immigrate to the U.S. to be adopted here.

The two processes for U.S citizens are:

 The Hague Process: if the child is habitually resident in a country

that is a Party to the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention.
 The Orphan Process (non-Hague): if the Hague Intercountry
Adoption Convention does not apply.

Both the Hague Convention Adoption Process (Convention adoptions)

and the orphan adoption process, (or non-Convention adoptions)
involve two basic U.S. determinations: 1) The suitability of the
adoptive parents, and 2) Whether the child’s adoption meets eligibility
requirements in order for the child to immigrate to the United States.
In general, prospective adoptive parents receive more protections
when adopting from Convention countries.
It is important to know which process needs to be followed. To see a
list of the requirements and process for each process visit
www.adoption.state.gov/pdf/Side_by_side_comparison.pdf

For a list of Hague Adoption convention countries see the Department

of State website www.adoption.state.gov. It is also important to note
the date of the adoption as adoptions which occurred before April 1,
2008 may be grandfathered in.

It is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney if you

plan an intercountry adoption.

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 Chapter 6

Way to get a Green Card # 6: Registry

Registry is a section of immigration law that enables certain individuals

who have been present in the United States since January 1, 1972 the
ability to apply for a green card (permanent residence), even if they
are currently in the United States unlawfully.

You may be eligible to receive a green card under the registry

provisions if you meet all of the following conditions:

1. You entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972

2. You have resided in the United States continuously since January
1, 1972
3. You are a person of good moral character
4. You are not ineligible for naturalization (citizenship)
5. You are not removable (deportable) under Section 237(a)(4)(B)
the Immigration and Nationality Act
6. You are not inadmissible under Section 212(a)(3)(E) of the INA
or as a criminal, procurer, other immoral person, subversive,
violator of the narcotics laws or alien smuggler
You must also be able to provide:
 Evidence that you entered the United States prior to January 1,
1972 such as a copy of passport page with nonimmigrant visa,
a copy of passport page with admission (entry) stamp or Form
I-94, Arrival/ Departure Record
AND
 Evidence to establish continuous residence since entry.

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 Chapter 7

Way to get a Green Card # 7: Serve in the U.S Armed Forces

If you served (or are serving) honorably on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
after October 15, 1978 and who, after original lawful enlistment outside the
United States, served for a certain period of time through a treaty or agreement
that was in effect on October 1, 1991 you may be authorized to get a green card.

You must have originally enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces outside the United
States under a treaty or an agreement that was in effect on October 1, 1991 and
served for a combined period of time either:

 12 years and if already separated from service after these 12 years, must
have separated only under honorable conditions
 6 years, if you are now on active duty, and have already reenlisted for a
total active duty service obligation of at least 12 years

Additionally, you must meet all the following general conditions:

 You are a national of an independent state that maintains a treaty or

agreement allowing nationals of that state to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces
each year
 The executive branch of the Armed Services under which you serve or
have served has recommended you for this special immigrant status
 You are admissible to the United States

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 Chapter 8

Way to get a Green Card # 8: Diplomats

If you entered the United States under diplomatic status you may be
eligible to obtain a green card.

You may be eligible to receive a green card if you can establish that:

 You entered the United States as an A-1, A-2, G-1, or G-2

nonimmigrant
 You failed to maintain your A-1, A-2, G-1, or G-2 nonimmigrant
status 
 Your duties were diplomatic or semi-diplomatic
 There is a compelling reason why you or your immediate family
cannot return to the country which accredited you as a diplomat
 You are a person of good moral character
 You are admissible to the United States for permanent residence
 Granting you a green card would be in the national interest of
the United States
What if you are a child of a diplomat?

A person born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic officer

accredited to the United States is not subject to the jurisdiction of
United States law. Therefore, that person cannot be considered a U.S.
citizen at birth under the 14th Amendment to the United States
Constitution. This person may, however, be considered a permanent
resident at birth and able to receive a green card through creation of
record.

To determine whether your parent is a foreign diplomatic officer, your

parent’s accredited title must be listed in the State Department
Diplomatic List, also known as the Blue List. This list includes:

 Ambassadors
 Ministers
 Charges d’affaires
 Counselors
 Secretaries and attaches of embassies and legations
 Members of the Delegation of the Commission of the European
Communities

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 Chapter 9

Way to get a Green Card # 9: Asylum

Asylum Status may be granted to anyone outside of his or her own

country of nationality (see Refugee section below) or already in the
United States who is "unable or unwilling to return because of
persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race,
religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or
political opinion".

The difference between Refugee status and political Asylum is

that the Refugee status application is done outside the
applicant's home country as opposed to the Asylee who can
apply while in the United States. Political Asylum allows you to
stay and work in the United States temporarily.

There is no quota limit on the number of people who may obtain

political asylum, however, there is an annual limit on the
number of people who may obtain permanent residency based
on political asylum.

To be considered for this status you must apply for political asylum
based on an actual experience of persecution in your home country or
fear of persecution based on race, religion, or political opinion and you
must apply within one year of your arrival in the U.S.

If USCIS grants you asylum status, you are eligible to apply for a
green card 1 year after receiving your grant of asylum.  Your spouse
and children are also eligible to apply for a green card if they were
admitted to the United States as asylees or were included in your
grant of asylum. 

If you are an asylee, you may apply for a green card 1 year after being
granted asylum if you:

 Have been physically present in the United States for at least 1

year after being granted asylum
 Continue to meet the definition of a refugee (or continue to be
the spouse or child of such a refugee)
 Have not abandoned your refugee status
 Continue to be admissible to the United States (A waiver may be
available to you if you are now inadmissible)

18
You may apply for political asylum even if you are illegally in the
United States.

You may not qualify for political asylum if you have participated
in the persecution of others or if you have "firmly resettled" in a
country other than your home country. Firmly resettled means
you have obtained permanent residency in a country other than
your home country or the United States.

If you meet the qualifications, you may be approved for political

asylum unless the USCIS proves that conditions have
substantially improved in your home country.

19
 Chapter 10

Way to get a Green Card # 10: Refugee

Refugee Status may be granted to anyone outside of his or her own

country of nationality or who is "unable or unwilling to return because
of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of
race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or
political opinion". This is distinguished from asylum because you must
first make your application from outside of the U.S.

This status grants you a visa to enter the U.S. at which time you
can apply for political asylum.

To be considered for this status you must apply based on an actual

experience of persecution in your home country or fear of persecution
based on race, religion, or political opinion and you must have a
financial sponsor within the U.S. There are only a limited number of
these visas available annually and that number is set by the U.S.
president.

If you are a refugee, you must apply for political asylum within 1 year
after you are admitted to the United States as a refugee if you:

 Have been physically present in the United States for at least 1

year after being admitted as a refugee
 Have not had your refugee admission terminated
 Have not already acquired permanent resident (green card)
status.

You may not qualify for political asylum if you have participated
in the persecution of others or if you have "firmly resettled" in a
country other than your home country. Firmly resettled means
you have obtained permanent residency in a country other than
your home country or the United States.

If you meet the qualifications, you may be approved for political

asylum unless the USCIS proves that conditions have
substantially improved in your home country.

20
 Chapter 11

Way to get a Green Card # 11: Special Immigrants

Although most immigrants come to live permanently in the United

States through a family member’s sponsorship, employment, or a job
offer, there are many other ways to get a green card.

These special adjustment programs are limited to individuals meeting

particular qualifications and/or applying during certain time
frames. Each of these programs has specific requirements and it is
recommended that you consult an attorney to determine your
eligibility.

 Amerasian Child of a U.S. Citizen

 American Indian Born in Canada
 Cuban Native or Citizen
 Haitian Refugee
 Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act
 Informant (S Nonimmigrant) 
 Lautenberg Parolee
 Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act
 Special Immigrant Juvenile
 Victim of Criminal Activity (U Nonimmigrant)
 Victim of Trafficking (T Nonimmigrant)

21
 Chapter 12

Way to get a Green Card # 12: Adjustment of status

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) permits the change of an

individual's immigration status while in the United States from
nonimmigrant or parolee (temporary) to immigrant (permanent) if the
individual was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United
States and is able to meet all required qualifications for a green card in
a particular category.

The INA provides an individual two primary paths to permanent

resident status. Adjustment of status is the process by which an
eligible individual already in the United States can get a green card
without having to return to their home country to complete visa
processing.

Consular processing is an alternate process for an individual outside

the United States (or who is in the United States but is ineligible to
adjust status) to obtain a visa abroad and enter the United States as a
permanent resident). This pathway is referred to as “consular
processing”.

The first step in the adjustment of status process is to determine if you

fit into one of the 11 specific immigrant categories described above.
The second step is to determine if you are eligible for adjustment of
status. To be eligible you must have entered the US legally, have
maintained that legal status (no expired visa) and not done anything
unauthorized (e.g. worked without the proper visa). The advantage of
adjustment of status is that you can apply while in the US and you
may be able to adjust your status from a nonimmigrant visa category
such as a student visa or a temporary status.

22
 Chapter 13

As a final word on gaining lawful entry into the Unites States… don’t
give up. The 12+ opportunities outlined in this book are not
exhaustive. For example: you may trace your family tree to discover
that you are an illegitimate child and your father was a U.S. citizen.
Depending on your date of birth you may already be a U.S. citizen.

Also even if you were found to be inadmissible to the U.S. for a variety
of reasons there may be a waiver available to you. There may be a 3
or 10 year bar to entry or the inadmissibility may be immediately
waivable.

So if you are serious about lawful permanent residency in the U.S. and
the 12+ ways don’t provide an immediate pathway for you don’t give
up. Consult an immigration attorney and he/she may be able to find
additional avenues and/or advise you of upcoming changes in the law
that will benefit you in your quest for a green card.

If you prefer to get started on your own I suggest the following:

www.uscis.gov

23
 Final Notes

Immigration law like all facets of U.S. law is continually changing

therefore, it is imperative that you confirm the application of current
law based on your personal circumstances. This book is not intended
to provide legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.
The information provided in this book is provided “as is” without any
representations or warranties, express or implied. There is no
representation or warranty that the information provided herein is
complete, true, accurate, up-to-date, or non-misleading.

Each individual’s circumstances are different and even a slight

difference may alter the best path for you to obtain lawful permanent
residency. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter
you should consult your attorney or other professional legal services
provider. It is strongly recommended that you consult an immigration
attorney before you embark on this journey to ensure the highest
likelihood of success.

Attribution: The cover photograph is from www.united-states-flag.com

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 About the Author

Ms. Amabile has been practicing law since 1986 and is licensed to
practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of
California. In addition to her Juris Doctorate (law degree) from New
England School of Law, she holds a Masters degree in Business/Public
Administration from Syracuse University and a Bachelors of Arts
degree from the University of Maine. She has also earned an advanced
certification in Global Business from the University of California

Throughout her career Ms. Amabile has held executive positions at

several Fortune 500 companies and is an instructor at the University of
Phoenix. She has also started two small businesses: Casa Nueva
Realty and KVA International Realty.

Currently she is focused on immigration law and advocacy for under-

represented people in the U.S. Included in this focus is assisting
minority entrepreneurs in developing their business models for long
term success.

She can be reached at kvalaw@gmail.com for consultations.

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