What is a Green Card?

A green card, otherwise known as a United States Permanent Resident Card, is an identification card issued by the U.S. government that provides a person with the right to live, work and travel in the United States. It is a document that grants an individual the right to hold legal status and become an immigrant. The green card also serves as an identity document, providing a person with proof of residence and employment authorization.

The History of the Green Card

The green card first became available in the early 1900s and has been continually evolving since then. The first green card was issued in 1950, when the U.S. started issuing a small green paper card as part of its new Immigration and Naturalization Service. Since then, the green card has undergone many changes as the immigration system in the U.S. has been overhauled multiple times. In 1976, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, replaced the green card with an ID card which looked more like a credit card than the green paper card that was previously used.

Qualifying for a Green Card

There are several ways to qualify for a green card, including through family, employment or special immigrant status. Green cards can be obtained through employment, such as for those who have a job offer from a U.S. employer or individuals who have a skillset deemed valuable to the U.S. economy. There are also special categories within the green card lottery, refugee and asylum seekers, and those eligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

In conclusion, a green card is an important document that grants an individual the right to legally reside and work in the United States. It can be obtained through a variety of ways, including employment or family-related qualifications. Owning a green card confers many rights and benefits, such as the right to live, work, and travel in the United States.