You came into the country without inspection and are undocumented. Can you still get a green card? Perhaps…

While generally one of the requirements for a green card is that you came into this country legally, there are some exceptions and some ways to proceed.  

Victims of Crimes and Abuse: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows battered immigrants to petition for legal status in the United States without relying on abusive U.S.citizen or legal permanent resident spouses, parents or children to sponsor their Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) applications.They may also apply to adjust status regardless of whether they entered without inspection, worked without authorization, or fell out lawful status since their entry into the United States. Victims of crimes may also qualify for a waiver to allow them a path to a green card. 

Asylum: Those fleeing persecution are also eligible for a Green Card one year after being granted asylum even if they came into the US without inspection. The US government recognizes that those fleeing persecution will go through extraordinary measures to get here including entering the country without inspection. 

Waivers: If you have a close family member or employer ready to sponsor you there may still be hope for getting a Green Card. A waiver is a type of “legal forgiveness” granted by the government. To be eligible, you must show among other things, that if you were denied a Green Card, your absence from the US would cause “extreme hardship” to a qualifying relative (a spouse or parent(s) that is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) This is not as easy as it sounds, but if handled correctly, could clear the path to your Green Card.