Green Card

Perks to having had legal status in the past?

"I am writing to you from Ireland.  I am in my late forties and have two children aged 19 and 21.  I spent 10 years in the U.S. from 1978-’88, and I had a green card.  I came home to get married and raise a family, and lo and behold, my eldest daughter wants to relocate to the U.S. because there is nothing available for her job-wise in Ireland. I am wondering, and hoping, that my prior legal status in the U.S. might have some positive bearing on her application for residency there?  I also have two siblings still resident in the U.S., both of whom are citizens. Can they be of any use to my daughter?

“I loved America very much and wouldn’t mind at some point returning there myself as my marriage broke down several years ago. I don’t know if I would ever make the move, but if so, could I make use of my green card? I know it’s a long-shot, but perhaps the U.S. looks kindly upon people who used to live there legally and want to do so again.”

The green card that you had several decades back lost its validity a long, long time ago.   Once a permanent resident leaves the U.S. and does not take steps to protect legal status for future use the status becomes null and void, as does the green card that proved a legal right to live and work here.

USCIS launches citizenship drive

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently launched a new program called the Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Initiative that aims to raise awareness about the rights, responsibilities and importance of U.S. citizenship.

The most recent immigrant population report, for the year 2009, showed that there are an estimated 12.5 legal permanent residents (green card holders) residing in the U.S., and 7.9 million of them are now eligible to apply for naturalization.  The USCIS initiative is aimed at encouraging them to become Americans.

“Citizenship is the common thread that connects us all as Americans. This initiative emphasizes the importance of citizenship—not only to immigrants and their families but also to our nation as a whole,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “This effort marks a new milestone in USCIS’s outreach to lawful permanent residents.”

Moving to Ireland - employment, health insurance and residency

“What could I expect if I went to live in Ireland for long-term period of time – at least a year and probably longer?  Two of my grandparents are Irish, and I’ve taken many trips there.  Would I be eligible for things like jobs and health insurance, which I understand is standard for everyone in Ireland?  What would I have to do to establish residency in Ireland?”

You could expect an Ireland that in many ways resembles the one you’ve undoubtedly encountered on your many trips – beautiful and welcoming – but one that is also beset with many modern day problems, such as a collapsing economy and high unemployment.

As you have at least one grandparent who is an Irish citizen, you will be able to acquire Irish citizenship through this link, if you haven’t already done so.  It’s vital that you secure Irish citizenship prior to your move, because as a citizen you’ll be entitled to legally live and work in Ireland.