Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Permanent residency in the United States commonly refers to lawful permanent resident status - holding a green card. Green card holders may live and work permanently in the United States, travel abroad with limitations, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship if they meet eligibility requirements. Immigration and naturalization law is governed at the federal level, so applications, eligibility rules, and enforcement are set by federal agencies and courts. Residents of Greenwood Village, Colorado, follow the same federal rules as people anywhere in the United States, while state and local policies can affect access to certain services, identification, employment protections, and local interactions with law enforcement.
Immigration law is complex and procedural. Many situations make retaining an experienced immigration lawyer highly advisable:
- Family-based petitions - Filing petitions for spouses, parents, children, or siblings can require precise documentation and proof of relationships. A lawyer can prepare and respond to requests for evidence.
- Employment-based cases - Employers and foreign workers face numerical limits, labor certification issues, and complex eligibility rules. Counsel helps navigate employer sponsorship, PERM, and preference categories.
- Adjustment of status vs consular processing - Deciding whether to apply from inside the U.S. or from your home country depends on status, travel history, and timing. A lawyer evaluates risks and options.
- Waivers for unlawful presence or inadmissibility - If you have past immigration violations, criminal issues, or medical or financial bars, you may need waivers. These require careful legal strategy and supporting evidence.
- Removal or deportation defense - If you or a family member face removal proceedings, legal representation is critical to pursue relief, cancellation, asylum, or other defenses.
- Naturalization and citizenship issues - Applications can be denied for criminal history, incomplete residence requirements, or mistakes on forms. An attorney can prepare you and handle appeals.
- Complex situations - Victims of crime, trafficking, or domestic violence may qualify for special visas or relief. Lawyers familiar with such protections can prepare compelling applications.
While immigration law is federal, Greenwood Village and Colorado laws can affect everyday life for prospective permanent residents:
- State and local identification - Colorado issues state identification and driver licenses according to state eligibility rules. Access to state ID can make daily life and documentation easier for immigrants.
- Employment protections - Colorado law and local ordinances prohibit discrimination in employment and housing. These protections can be important if you face discrimination based on national origin, citizenship status where applicable, or other protected classes.
- Public benefits and eligibility - Eligibility for federal public benefits depends on immigration status. Colorado and local programs may offer limited benefits or services regardless of immigration status, especially for emergency health care and certain social services.
- Local policing and immigration enforcement - Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Local police policies on cooperation with federal immigration authorities vary by jurisdiction. Greenwood Village policies and Arapahoe County practices may affect how local law enforcement handles immigration inquiries.
- Housing and landlord rules - Municipal and county housing regulations, landlord-tenant rules, and fair housing laws apply equally to immigrants and citizens. Knowing these rules helps protect your housing rights while applying for permanent residency.
A green card is most commonly obtained through a qualifying family relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or through employment sponsorship. Other paths include refugee or asylum status, the diversity visa lottery, and special categories such as U visas for crime victims. Each path has specific eligibility rules, priority dates, and forms to file.
If you are physically present in the United States and meet eligibility requirements - for example, you were inspected and admitted or paroled and have an approved immigrant petition with a current visa number - you may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status through USCIS. Whether adjustment of status is available depends on your category, status history, and any bars to admission.
Processing time varies widely by category, country of origin, and backlog in immigration preference categories. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens generally face shorter waits than preference categories that are subject to annual numerical limits. USCIS processing, visa bulletin delays, and requests for evidence can add months or years. An attorney can estimate timelines based on your specific case.
Unlawful presence can trigger bars to re-entry if you depart the United States - typically 3-year or 10-year bars - depending on how long you remained unlawfully. In some cases, waivers are available, and in other cases relief may be available through adjustment of status or other forms of relief. Because consequences are significant, seek legal advice before traveling or filing applications.
Local ordinances do not determine eligibility for federal immigration benefits. However, local issues such as criminal convictions that occurred in Greenwood Village or Arapahoe County can affect admissibility and eligibility for a green card. Local administrative matters do not substitute for federal immigration requirements.
Bring identity documents, passports, current immigration documents and visas, birth and marriage certificates, divorce or death certificates for prior spouses, criminal records if any, employment records, tax returns, and any USCIS or court notices. A lawyer will advise on additional documents specific to your case.
Look for attorneys who focus on immigration law, are licensed in the relevant state, and have experience with the immigration benefits or defenses you need. Ask about board certification, client references, success with similar cases, fee structure, and whether they appear before immigration court if needed. Non-profit organizations and local bar associations can provide referrals.
Yes. Statewide and local non-profit organizations often provide free or low-cost immigration legal help or referrals. Community clinics, legal aid groups, and organizations that specialize in immigrant services may assist with certain applications or offer consultations. Availability can be limited, so contact these providers early.
Yes. Lawful permanent residents can be placed in removal proceedings for certain criminal convictions, fraud, misrepresentation on immigration applications, or other grounds of inadmissibility or deportability. Some criminal convictions may lead to mandatory detention and removal. Legal defense is critical in those situations.
Most green card holders may apply for naturalization after five years of continuous residence as a lawful permanent resident. Spouses of U.S. citizens may be eligible after three years if they meet continuous residence and marital requirements. There are additional residency, physical presence, and good moral character requirements. Military service can offer different timeframes.
Below are government agencies and local organizations that can provide information, forms, or legal assistance:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - the federal agency that processes most green card and naturalization applications.
- Executive Office for Immigration Review - oversees immigration courts and appeals.
- U.S. Department of State - manages consular processing for immigrant visas issued abroad.
- Colorado Office of New Americans - state-level office that supports immigrant integration and provides resources.
- Arapahoe County Human Services and Greenwood Village municipal offices - for local identification, social services, and records.
- USCIS Denver Field Office and the immigration court and federal agencies based in the Denver area - for local case processing and hearings.
- Colorado Legal Services - statewide legal aid organization that may provide immigration-related services or referrals.
- Local nonprofit immigration legal service providers and community groups - these organizations often assist with family petitions, naturalization clinics, and referrals to accredited representatives or attorneys.
Follow this practical step-by-step approach if you need legal assistance with permanent residency:
- Gather documents - Start collecting passports, immigration documents, birth and marriage certificates, criminal records if any, tax records, and any notices from USCIS or immigration court.
- Get an initial consultation - Schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney to review your situation, deadlines, and potential risks. Expect to discuss fees and retainer arrangements up front.
- Check for free or low-cost options - If cost is a barrier, contact local legal aid organizations, immigrant service centers, or bar association referral services for pro bono or sliding-scale help.
- Avoid notario or unlicensed practitioners - Use only licensed attorneys or accredited representatives who are authorized to provide immigration advice. Unlicensed advice can lead to serious errors.
- Prepare for timelines and contingencies - Ask your attorney about expected timelines, possible requests for evidence, interview preparation, and what to do if circumstances change, such as travel or employment changes.
- Maintain status and document changes - Keep records of address changes, employment and travel, and respond promptly to any government notices. Notify your attorney immediately of new developments.
If you are unsure where to start, call a local immigration attorney or a community legal clinic for an initial evaluation. Early legal guidance often prevents mistakes that can delay or jeopardize permanent residency applications.
