According to the Immigration & Nationality Act, people with the following relationships to U.S. Citizens may be able to obtain green cards:

• Immediate relatives of the U.S. Citizens. This category includes spouses, widows, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens who are over 21.
• Family-sponsored preferences. This category includes unmarried daughters or sons over 21, married children of any age, and siblings of U.S. citizens who are over the age of 21. There are certain family members of green card holders who fall under this category such as Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under 21) of Permanent Residents and Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 Years or Older) of Permanent Residents.

An employment-based green card allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States. This type of green card is obtained through employment sponsorship and is typically available to individuals with specific job offers or qualifications. Employment-based green cards are divided into several preference categories, each with its own eligibility requirements and quotas.

The process of obtaining an employment-based green card involves several steps, which typically include labor certification (for some categories), filing an immigrant petition by the sponsoring employer, and, once the petition is approved, applying for the green card itself.

The process may also include adjustment of status if the applicant is already in the United States or consular processing if they are outside the U.S.

It's important to note that the availability of employment-based green cards can be subject to annual quotas, per-country limits, and sometimes lengthy waiting periods, particularly for certain preference categories and countries with high demand. As a result, the process can be time-consuming, and applicants may need to maintain their non-immigrant status while waiting for their green card to become available.

Navigating the employment-based green card process can be complex, and it's advisable to seek legal counsel or guidance from an immigration attorney to ensure a successful application and to understand the specific requirements and procedures for the preferred category.

Green cards granted to individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status in the United States are known as “asylee“ and “refugee“ green cards. These green cards are issued to people who have been granted asylum or refugee status and have met the necessary criteria, allowing them to live and work in the United States on a more permanent basis.

Here are the key points about asylee and refugee green cards:

1. Asylee Green Card:

• Asylees are individuals who have been granted asylum in the United States. They have demonstrated a well-founded fear of persecution or have suffered persecution in their home country based on one of the five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion;
• Asylees can apply for a green card (lawful permanent resident status) one year after being granted asylum;
• To apply for a green card, asylees typically use Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
• Asylee green cards provide permanent resident status, allowing individuals to live and work in the United States indefinitely

2. Refugee Green Card:

• Refugees are individuals who have been granted refugee status before arriving in the United States. They were often referred to the U.S. by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or another authorized organization;
• Refugees can apply for a green card one year after entering the United States;
• Similar to asylees, refugees typically use Form I-485 to apply for a green card;
• Refugee green cards also provide permanent resident status.

Both asylee and refugee green card holders enjoy many of the same benefits as other lawful permanent residents in the United States, including the ability to work and travel, access to various government services, and the option to apply for U.S. citizenship after several years of continuous residence.

It's important to note that the process of applying for and obtaining a green card based on asylum or refugee status involves several steps and requires meeting specific eligibility criteria. Legal representation or guidance from an immigration attorney is often recommended to navigate the application process successfully and ensure that all requirements are met.