University of Delaware Sponsorship
While there are several avenues available for permanent residence applicants, the University of Delaware, in partnership with the immigration law firm of Goldblum & Hess, only provides legal counsel and assistance in the preparation and submission of employment-based petitions to eligible university employees. Departments wishing to sponsor a university employee for employment-based LPR must contact and coordinate petitions via the University of Delaware’s Payroll, Records Management & HR-IT department.
More information regarding the university’s sponsorship policy can be found at: http://www.udel.edu/HRSystemsAdmin/residency.html
Individuals interested in applying for an LPR category other than the ones processed by the University of Delaware must either hire an immigration attorney or file the applications on their own. The university cannot advise on these other LPR categories, but detailed information is available in the “LPR Overview” section below.
Finding an Immigration Attorney
Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Therefore, locating a good immigration attorney is important. You will likely spend considerable time and money working with your immigration attorney. Do your research before choosing an attorney. There are circumstances in which a person can successfully file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services without the help of an immigration attorney. If you decide to file a petition on your own, you may want to pay for a one-time, initial consultation with a qualified immigration lawyer to review your case.
USCIS describes a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) as “any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant.” An individual who is lawfully admitted to the U.S. as an immigrant is commonly referred to by different terms, including: immigrant, permanent resident, lawful permanent resident, and green card holder.
Individuals who hold LPR status may remain in the U.S. permanently to live and work. LPR holders need to maintain a valid home country passport at all times. Generally, LPRs have the some of the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as U.S. citizens. LPRs may buy and sell property, own and operate businesses, and may be drafted into the military if a draft is in effect but are not eligible to vote in government elections, nor serve on juries at trials or hold elected offices or government jobs.
The University of Delaware strongly encourages foreign national employees to take advantage of Goldblum & Hess' services (and reduced fees) for the corresponding Permanent Resident Status applications.
Below are some additional resources that can help you with finding an immigration attorney:
- Service for the Foreign Born (for residents of Delaware)
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) Immigration Lawyer Referral Service:
- American Bar Association
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Yellow Pages (search for “immigration attorney”)
There are different categories under which an individual can qualify for LPR status. You can find more information on some of these categories from the links below:
