E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Holders pour their life savings into the United States economy. They leave their home countries, taking a risk that often does not pay off for many non-Americans. There is a growing problem of E-2 visa holders who would like to stay in the United States permanently, but who have no quick way to obtain permanent resident (“green card”) status. There has been a push for immigration reform to consider this group of individuals who contribute to the economy in a way that benefits citizens and non-citizens alike.
There are polar views on immigration reform. Some groups of people want a way for people lawfully in this country to obtain citizenship. Lawfully includes permanent residents and non-immigrants who have certain visas that allow them to live and work in the United States. On the other hand, there are people who strongly believe that non-citizens and non-immigrants have no business living in the United States indefinitely. If non-immigrants are going to come to the United States to help the economy, leaving their homelands, there should be a way for those individuals and their families to establish permanency. After all, E-2 visa holders pay taxes, purchase homes, cars, and other items in the United States. Yet, this group of visa holders has the most difficult time finding a path to permanent resident and eventual citizenship status.
So How Can I, as an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Holder, Obtain Citizenship?
Currently, E-2 visa holders can apply for green card permanent resident status, as employees, if it is granted, it could take years. If you are an E-2 visa holder and meet a United States citizen you wish to marry, you may then apply for a fiancé visa and then could apply for adjustment of status based on marriage. However, many E-2 visa holders are already married with families, so this adjustment option is available to them only as a derivative of their spouse’s visa.
With comprehensive immigration reform, E-2 visa holders should have a direct path to permanent resident status if they meet certain requirements, instead of waiting for years and years paying the thousands of dollars just to stay lawfully in the United States as visa holders. Having a direct path to permanent resident status and eventual citizenship will recognize E-2 visa holders as worthy contributors of the United States. The United States has always been known for its great diversity, so to deny tax-paying, law-abiding non-immigrants the ability to become a part of this country goes against what the country stands for. However, there is great hope that the time will come very soon that E-2 visa holders can apply for immigrant status which then leads to the path of citizenship.
Contact Geygan & Geygan, Ltd. To Schedule Your Free Consultation
Immigration is a highly political topic today – there is a lot at stake for E-2 visa holders who wish to become United States citizens in the future. Before citizenship can be established, these people must become lawful, permanent residents and obtain a green card. There are certainly ways to apply for permanent resident status, however, there is a struggle for E-2 visa holders because they are not technically in the United States for any purpose other than to work. While E-2 visa holders can re-apply indefinitely to stay in the United States for work purposes (every two years), this does not seem fair when they have been acting much like United States citizens for years.
If you are an E-2 treaty investor visa holder, and wish to find out how you can apply to be a permanent resident, and ultimately a citizen of the United States, contact the law firm of Geygan & Geygan, Ltd. today. Our experienced immigration attorneys have helped individuals explore their citizenship options. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at 513-791-1673.