Over the years, Congress has passed several laws giving amnesty, or legal forgiveness, to aliens who have managed to live and work in the United States illegally for a long period of time. Under the amnesty program, illegal aliens can first apply for temporary resident status and then become lawful permanent residents. Amnesty, in short, legalizes the status of certain illegal aliens. If you’re eligible for amnesty, you must apply for temporary residence status by the deadline granted in the amnesty provision. Failure to apply in a timely manner can result in the loss of eligibility for permanent residence. If you’re already a lawful, temporary resident under the amnesty legalization program and your temporary residence card contains “2-45-A (two forty-five A)” on the front, you may be eligible to apply for a green card. In addition to illegal aliens, amnesty has also been granted to certain seasonal agricultural workers who labored in the fields for at least 90 days between May 1, 1985 and May 1, 1986. Under the Special Agricultural Workers Program, you may become a permanent resident if your temporary residence card contains the number “2-10 (two ten).” Your status will automatically be changed to that of a permanent resident as long as you haven’t been found guilty of fraud or haven’t committed disqualifying crimes, such as a felony or three misdemeanors in the United States. To receive your green card, you must file an I-90 (eye ninety) application with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS (I-N-S). Similar to applying for temporary status, you must file your application for permanent status before the deadline imposed by the INS. The deadline is the 19th month after you’ve been granted temporary residence. Failure to apply by this deadline will mean you lose the right to apply for permanent residence and you’ll become subject to deportation proceedings. Once you apply for permanent residence through the amnesty program, you may apply for naturalization five years later.
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