Seeking lawful permanent resident status under the Registry provision depends on meeting required criteria. Typically, people seeking citizenship in the United States have three basic ways of obtaining lawful permanent resident status such as through jobs, family and refugee or asylum status. Created in 1972, the registry section of immigration law enables people currently living in the United States—even unlawfully—seeking permanent residence another option, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Meeting Eligibility Requirements
Non-native born Americans seeking permanent residence, also called a green card, under the registry provision must have entered the United States before January 1, 1972. Also, people must be eligible for naturalization, commonly called citizenship, and have good moral character. People must have continuously and physically resided in the country since 1972. For example, people who arrived in 1958, but left the U.S. to return home or reside in another country for any period of time won’t meet the eligibility criteria.
Have a Clean Criminal Record
There are two specific requirements non-native people must abide by American laws, in addition to the above, to meet eligibility criteria when seeking lawful permanent residence. They can’t be removable under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 237(a)(4)(B). This means people breaking laws associated with terrorist activities can’t seek naturalization. Also, people can’t be inadmissible under section 212(a)(3)(E) of INA. Thus, if anyone has been labeled an immoral person, subversive, a criminal, procurer, alien smuggler or violator of the narcotics laws aren’t eligible to seek lawful green card status, according to the USCIS.
Start the Application Process
When seeking permanent residence under the registry provision, people begin the process by completing the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, or Form I-485. At all times, the current edition of the form must be used. Any prior editions aren’t acceptable, according to USCIS. For example, as of 2010 the Form I-485 to use is the 12/03/2009 edition. Thus, completing a form dated 12/03/2006 won’t be considered.
Provide Supporting Evidence and Fees
The USCIS requests documents such as a birth certificate, two passport-style photos, evidence of residence prior to 1972 and copy of a photo identification card such as a state license. Also, they must provide evidence of continuously physical residence. As of 2010, the fees that have to be sent along with the applications depend on age. For example, people 14 to 79 years old pay $930.
