Legal Question in Immigration Law in Massachusetts

Green Card renewal. Afraid to be denied

I have a question regarding my green card renewal. I'm canadian and I got my green card in 99 after my mother's husband petitionned for me. I was 19 at the time and finished my schooling in Canada and I would go back to the US for vacations. Since I've finished my studies, I've been doing voluntary work in different countries and only go back to the States for 2 or 3 months at the time. Now my green card is expiring in April 2009 and I'm afraid they won't want to renew it because I've never worked in the States and don't own anything there. I'm afraid they'll say that because of my inactivity I can't be a US resident anymore. So I'd like to know what do they check for when analyzing a file and what are the reasons for a renewal to be denied.

I hope someone can help me, I'm very worried.

Thanks


Asked on 10/17/08, 11:33 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Marc Seguinot Seguinot & Associates, P.C.

Re: Green Card renewal. Afraid to be denied

You don't have to work, or own anything in the U.S. to have the status of lawful permanent resident. What you have to do is make sure that your absence is no more than one year. So, if you have only been enterning the U.S. for 2-3 months a year, that means you have been absent for 9-10 months. If the periods have not exceeded one year, you may be okay, and a renewal may be approved. Try to extend your stays in the U.S., but do not, under any circumstance, stay out of the U.S. for more than 1 year. If you contemplate such an absence, you must get an entry permit to come back in. Good luck.

Read more
Answered on 10/18/08, 4:46 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Immigration Law questions and answers in Massachusetts