What are the benefits of having a Green Card in the US?
The Permanent Resident Card issued in the United States, also known as a Green Card, offers several benefits in addition to proving one’s residency status.
The Permanent Resident Card, popularly known as a Green Card, is an important document for foreigners in the United States. It allows them to prove their residency status and grants them certain benefits.
Having a Green Card gives a person the right to live in the US as a legal alien in the country, but not as a citizen. Foreigners with this document remain citizens of their home country and cannot obtain a U.S. passport.
Despite not achieving citizen status, foreigners with a residence card enjoy many privileges over tourists and immigrants with an unregulated immigration status.
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10 benefits that the Green Card gives you
The biggest benefit that the Green Card offers is that it allows you to live and work in the country permanently, although you need to renew the actual Permanent Resident Card, usually every 10 years.
Other benefits of this document include the following:
- Be able to bring your immediate family members (spouse and minor children) to the U.S.
- Leave or enter the country without the risk of being denied entry or exit by immigration officials.
- Have the right to apply for government-sponsored financial aid.
- Have access to security clearances and exemptions from export restrictions.
- Have the ability to start a business in the U.S.
- Be eligible to receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare benefits.
- Protection against deportation.
- Legal protection under U.S. law.
- Be able to apply for U.S. citizenship after a certain time.
What you can't do with a Green Card
Unlike U.S. citizens, foreigners with a permanent resident card do not enjoy all the rights granted by the U.S. Constitution.
For example, even if you have a Green Card, you do not have the right to vote or run for public office. You also cannot help another family member obtain citizenship or obtain an American passport.
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The responsibilities you acquire when you get a Green Card
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as a permanent resident, you must obey all laws of the United States.
Additionally, you are required to file income tax returns with the IRS and state tax authorities. Also, you must support the democratic form of government and register with the Selective Service (men ages 18 to 25).
You can learn more about how to get, renew, or replace a Green Card and become a permanent resident on the USA.gov website.