What Can You Do if Your Green Card is Denied?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, receives tens of thousands of applications for green cards every year – and some of them are denied. But why would a green card be denied, and what can you do if that happens to you? Here’s what you need to know.
Why Would a Green Card Be Denied?
Green card applications are denied every day for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common involve errors and mistakes (either on the applicant’s part or USCIS’s part), inadmissibility due to a criminal history or health, or a lack of funds. Here’s a closer look at each.
Green Card Denial Due to a Mistake
Sometimes people make mistakes. It’s incredibly important that your green card application is complete before you turn it in, and that you don’t miss any appointments or interviews. This is one of the reasons people often choose to work with an attorney. Your attorney can fill out and file all your paperwork for you.
Related: Green card FAQ
Green Card Denial Due to Inadmissibility
Some people are inadmissible to the United States. The U.S. can refuse to grant you a green card because you’re not lawfully allowed to be in the country, such as if you’ve been previously deported or you have health issues that would preclude you from staying in the country. If you’re having admissibility issues, you may want to talk to an attorney about your situation – there may be a way around what you’re facing.
Green Card Denial Due to Lack of Funds
You must be able to show USCIS that you’re unlikely to use public resources (like financial welfare programs) to get a green card. If the USCIS official evaluating your case thinks that you’ll become a public charge, you can be denied a green card.
Do You Need to Talk to an Immigration Attorney?
We can help you with your green card application, and we can answer your questions about the entire application process. We’ll even help you when it comes time for you to naturalize as a U.S. citizen. Call us at 414-383-6700 now to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney who can point you in the right direction.