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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Tatiana B. Durbak on March 03, 2002 at 23:30:37:
In Reply to: Question to Tatiana Durbak posted by Ina on March 03, 2002 at 08:39:49:
: Hello Tatiana,
: I also got a question for you, I came to US with a Green Card (married to US citizen) and it stated that it is to be expired in 2 years. No 2 years are expired and my husband found a form on INS site for removal of the status of the conditional basis of my permanent resident status. And now we got a letter from INS that the request for approved and I am deemed to be a lawful permanentn resident of US. So I have to get a new alien registration card (Form - I-551). My question is what is legal permanent resident and what is lawful permanent resident?
: And anoother question if I am more than 2 years here in US, do I have to start getting ready to file petition to become a US citizen if I want to? I was told by my husband that it should be done within 90 days of the expiring of the 3-rd year since my permanent residence was granted. But others told me that I can file it even now... Doesn't hurt so to say. But I admire your knowlegde in immigration law and would like to hear your opinion. Thank you in advance for your time.
Ina --
I am a lawyer who works in the field of immigration law. When I answer questions on this site about US immigration law, I am giving general information about that law. I am not giving my opinion.
"Legal permanent status" and "lawful permanent status" mean the same thing.
Legal permanent residents (LPR's) who are married to a US citizens for 3 years after becoming LPR's may apply for citizenship 90 days before the end of 3 years from the date that they first got permanent residence. Applying sooner makes no sense, because a person is not eligible to apply before that time. At best, such an application will be returned. At worst, the application will be denied, and the filing fee will be lost.
There are various requirements to get citizenship. All of them have to be met before an application for citizenship may be approved.
Good luck.