There are surnames that make it easier to obtain a green card in the US: truth or myth?

Obtaining a green card or permanent resident card in the United States is a complex process that involves several criteria and procedures established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Is it true that some surnames make it easier for the United States to grant a green card?

There were rumors in the media and on social media that if you are Latino and have certain surnames of American origin, the country could grant you permanent residency much more easily.

These are some of the surnames mentioned:

• Anderson
• Brown
• Davis
• Hamilton
• Johnson
• Jones
• Miller
• Smith
• Wilson

Although there is much speculation about the process, it is important to clarify that A person’s last name is not a determining factor for approval of a green card. However, there are certain programs and categories that may make the process easier for some individuals, including Latinos.

Green card categories

1. Green card por familia: This is one of the most common ways to obtain permanent residence. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may sponsor certain relatives to obtain a green card. Eligible family members include spouses, unmarried children under age 21, parents, and siblings.
2. Green card through employment: U.S. employers can sponsor foreign workers to obtain a green card. This category includes several subcategories, such as workers with extraordinary abilities, professionals with advanced degrees, and unskilled workers.
3. Green card for asylum or refuge: People who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion may apply for asylum or refuge in the United States. After one year of being granted asylum or refuge, they may apply for a green card.
4. Diversity Green Card (Visa Lottery): Each year, the U.S. Department of State conducts a Diversity Visa Lottery, which awards up to 50,000 diversity visas to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.

Real factors that can make it easier to obtain a green card

1. Having a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can make the process easier. U.S. citizens may sponsor their spouses, children, parents, and siblings, while permanent residents may sponsor their spouses and unmarried children.
2. Individuals with extraordinary abilities, advanced degrees, or experience in high-demand fields may have an advantage in the employment-based green card process. U.S. employers may sponsor these individuals, and in some cases, applicants may sponsor themselves.
3. Individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home country may be eligible for asylum or refugee status, which may eventually lead to a green card.
4. Participating in the diversity visa lottery is an opportunity for people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Although it is a competitive and luck-based process, it can be a viable path for some.