5 Common Problems That Prevent Green Card Approval

So, you are seeking your green card so that you can become an American citizen. You paid all the fees you needed to, filled out all of the paperwork, and completed any other requirements that were expected of you.

But, your green card application was denied. Why?

Well, there are many reasons why a person’s green card application could be denied whether from intentional purposes or from simple administrative errors so let’s take a look at a few common problems with getting a green card application approved.

1. Health Issues

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all individuals who are applying for a green card must submit to a medical examination. This examination must be performed by a doctor who is authorized by the USCIS.

While one doesn’t need to necessarily be in peak physical condition to pass their exam, there are some circumstances where a medical exam can result in a denied green card application. If the applicant has a drug addiction, is carrying a communicable disease, has a life-threatening mental disorder, or is not vaccinated, then they will more than likely be denied a green card.

2. You Gave The Wrong Form or Information

Another reason for having a green card application denied is if the wrong form is submitted. If a person is a conditional permanent resident, for instance, and needs to replace their green card, they should not use the Form I-90. Instead, they need to use either Form I-751 or Form I-829.

If a person already lives in the United States and needs to apply for a green card, then they would need to file Form I-485.

3. Criminal Record

When applying for a green card, it is important to provide as much accurate information as possible on your application including any interactions that you have had with law enforcement. There are only three types of criminal convictions that can prevent someone from receiving a green card which includes aggravated felonies, crimes involving illegal drugs, and crimes like murder, rape, fraud or animal abuse.

Should someone be denied a green card due to their criminal history, one can always submit a waiver of inadmissibility which states that their becoming a citizen would not endanger anyone.

4. You’ve Been Ordered Removed

A person can also have their green card denied if they are being ordered removed which means that they are being ordered removed from the United States. This can occur from a judge stating that you are to be deported, immigration officials signed expedited removal paperwork on you when you were at the border, or you signed a stipulated removal order.

5. Human Error

With an office like the USCIS, things won’t always go smoothly with the number of applications coming in so, if you get denied but you know that you did everything right, don’t freak out. It is more than likely that everything on your application was done right but the officials made an oversight or some other administrative mistake.

Seeking an Immigration Lawyer for Green Card Help

Filing a green card application can cost a lot of time and money so when you receive a denial letter, it can be frustrating and disappointing. However, don’t panic, since some denials could be due to a simple application or human error. In such cases, it is important to have an immigration lawyer who can guide you as you go through the application process to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as it possibly can.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.