| How to Become a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States Posted: 21 Mar 2018 05:00 PM PDT Becoming a legal permanent resident of the United States is a lengthy bureaucratic process. Once you determine your eligibility, you will need to find someone who can sponsor your application. Then, you and your sponsor will have to provide substantial evidence of your status, employment, or relationship. The process of becoming a legal permanent resident will generally take at least a year from the date you start filing, but successful applicants will finish the process with their Green Card, which grants permanent legal residence. EditDetermining Your Eligibility - Determine if you are eligible by having a family member sponsor you. One of the most common forms of eligibility are sponsorships from a family member. If you have a family member who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident and is at least 21-years-old, you may be eligible to apply. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines family member as:[1]
- The spouse of a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- The unmarried child of a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- The married child of a U.S. citizen
- The parent of a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- The brother or sister of a U.S. citizen
- The fiancé of a U.S. citizen (under special immigration admission)
- The widow or widower of a U.S. citizen
- Seek sponsorship through your employer. Some employers are willing to sponsor an immigrant for permanent residency. This is required if you possess an exceptional skill or ability that is not commonly found in the general working population.[2] You must do a test with the labor market to illustrate that there are no available individuals for the job in the US, which is why you'd be eligible for a green card.
 - Preference is typically given to immigrant workers that have extraordinary abilities in the sciences, art, education, business, or athletics, exceptional researchers and professors, and multinational managers.
- Secondary preference is given to those whose profession requires an advanced degree, those who have exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, or business, and those who are seeking a national interest waiver.
- Third preference is given if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. Skilled workers require 2 years of training or experience, while professionals must hold a U.S. baccalaureate degree or an equivalent, plus work in the field. Other workers may be unskilled but are not temporary or seasonal employees.[3]
- Physicians who agree to work full-time in clinical practices in a designated underserved area for a set period of time may also apply under the Physician National Interest Waiver.[4]
- Immigrant investors who are actively in the process of investing at least $1 million in non-rural areas or $500,000 in a rural area in new commercial enterprises in the U.S. which will create at least 10 full-time positions for qualifying employees may also be eligible for employment sponsorship.
- Check to see if you qualify as a special immigrant. Certain categories of immigrants may qualify for special immigrant status. Those employed as religious workers or international broadcasters, and those employed by an international organization or NATO-6 may qualify for this status. Additionally, the following groups may qualify:[5]
- Afghanistan or Iraqi nationals who worked as a translator for the U.S. government, who were employed by the U.S. government in Iraq for at least 1 year, or who were employed by the International Security Assistance Force.
- Family members of people employed by an international organization or NATO-6.
- Children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by their parent(s), and who qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status.
- Qualify for legal residency through extraordinary circumstances. There are a number of legal resident qualifications that may apply if you experienced harsh or extraordinary circumstances in your homeland or upon your entry into the U.S. You may qualify for legal residency status under these terms if:[6]
- You were granted asylum for refugee status at least 1 year ago.
- You are the victim of human trafficking or another crime and have a T or U nonimmigrant visa.
- You are the abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen, or lawful permanent resident.
- You have resided continuously in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972.
- You meet any of the terms outlined for sponsorship under non-common circumstances as outlined by USCIS.[7]
EditApplying for Lawful Permanent Resident Status - Meet with an immigration attorney. Prior to filing for lawful permanent resident status, you may want to meet with a U.S. Immigration Attorney. They can not only help make sure you are completely eligible, they can also help you prepare your forms and documents and assist with any complications that may arise.[8]
- You can check U.S. Justice Department's List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers to see if there are attorneys or legal resources in your area to help you prepare for your immigration filings free of charge.[9]
- Have your sponsor file your immigrant petition. If someone, such as a relative or your employer, is sponsoring your immigration, they will need to file an immigrant petition for you. If you qualify to file for yourself, you need to file your petition. The exact petition and documentation you need will depend on how you qualify for lawful permanent resident status. All forms are available from the USCIS website.[10]
- If you are unsure what forms you need, talk to your immigration attorney or an immigration services office in your area. You may also be able to receive advice over-the-phone if you cannot get to an office.
- If you already have an approved immigrant petition and visa, you may just need to file the I-485 application form.
- Fill out Form I-485 and submit it to USCIS. Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status is essentially the application form for your green card. The form is about 18 pages in length and requires you to provide details about yourself, your family, your employment, and your eligibility.[11]
- Once fully completed, the form will need to be submitted to the correct office. The office you will submit to depends on how you qualify for your status. Check the USCIS website to find the correct filing address for your eligibility category: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485-addresses.
- Pay the filing fee. You will need to submit your filing fee along with your I-485. You may submit a check along with your application, or pay online using a credit card. The fee structure for filing your I-485 is:[12]
- $750 for children under 14 filing with the I-485 of at least 1 parent
- $1,140 for children under 14 not filing with at least 1 parent
- $1,225 for those age 14-78
- $1,140 for those age 79 and older
- $0 for those admitted to the U.S. as a refugee
- Schedule your biometrics services appointment. After you file your application, USCIS will help you schedule a biometrics services appointment at a local Application Support Center. Show up to your local center at the date and time listed on your appointment notice to provide biometrics including your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature.[13]
- These appointments will help USCIS confirm your identity and run background and security checks.
- If USCIS requests an appointment, be sure to bring your appointment notice and a valid form of photo ID.
- Attend your Green Card interview. After your petition and application have been processed along with all background and security checks, you will be scheduled for an interview with someone from USCIS. The nature of the interview will vary somewhat depending on your application and qualifying circumstances. In general, it is important to be honest, polite, and calm throughout your interview.[14]
- If any part of your application or status changes between when you file your application and your interview, be prepared to address that change and provide all necessary evidence.
- If you are not confident in your spoken English abilities and cannot arrange an interview with someone who speaks your native language, arrange to have someone you trust with you help with translation issues.
- Avoid traveling abroad while your application is pending. In many cases, you will be restricted from traveling outside of the U.S. while your lawful permanent resident application is pending. If you do need to leave the country for any reason, you may need to apply for an advance parole document prior to leaving the country.[15]
EditStaying Compliant After Your Application is Approved - Carry your Green Card with you at all times. Once you become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., you are advised to carry your Green Card with you at all times. This serves as your proof that you are authorized to live and work in the U.S. It also functions as a photo ID, much like a driver's license or passport.[16]
- Do not travel outside of the U.S. for more than 12 months at a time. Remaining outside of the U.S. for more than 12 months could result in the loss of lawful permanent resident status. If you need to be outside of the U.S. for longer than 12 months, you may need to apply for a re-entry permit prior to leaving the country.[17]
- Renew your Green Card 6 months prior to expiration. Green cards typically expire every 10 years. Plan to begin your green card renewal process 6 months prior to when your green card's expiration date.
- If you have a conditional green card, such as one based on a spouse or family member, you can apply to have the condition removed after 2 years.
- Even if you qualify in one of the approved categories, such as being an immediate family member or having an employer sponsor, it is very important that you check to see if you have a permanent bar or require a waiver. Individuals with a permanent bar cannot apply, even with a waiver. If they do apply, they are revealing themselves to the government and could be subjected to deportation.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Plant in Poor Soils Posted: 21 Mar 2018 09:00 AM PDT Whether you want to grow flowers, trees, or vegetables, plants can add natural beauty to your yard. However, planting and growing plants may not seem so simple if your yard doesn't have rich soil. Fortunately, there are several things you can do throughout the planting process to ensure that your plants thrive, including amending the soil with compost, planting the root ball properly, and/or choosing to plant specific plants that thrive in your particular soil type. EditAmending the Soil - Buy or make your own compost. The best way to improve your soil is to mix it with compost, as compost can make sand more water retentive and clay more porous. Make your own compost out of decaying organic matter, such as dead leaves or manure, or purchase some from a gardening store. Add in additional amendments to the compost if your soil has specific issues, such as a high or low pH level.[1]
- Add sand and pea gravel if the soil is too moist, dolomitic lime if it's too acidic, or elemental sulfur if it's too alkaline.[2]
- A soil pH kit can help you determine if your soil is alkaline or acidic. Most plants prefer a pH between 5.5 and 7. You can purchase soil pH kits at your local garden store or online.
- Spread of organic matter overtop of the soil. The easiest way to do this is to put all of your compost into a large plastic bucket or a durable plastic bag. Pour the compost out of the bucket or bag onto the entire surface of the soil you want to plant in. Try to spread it out as evenly as possible.[3]
- Use a shovel to turn over -deep sections of soil. Start at the edge of the compost-covered area. Place your foot on the step and and push the blade all the way into the ground. Then, lift up the soil and turn it over completely so that the poor soil is on top and the compost is beneath it. Do this everywhere that you spread the compost.[4]
- This can also be accomplished with a rototiller, which you can rent at your local home improvement store.
- Rake the surface flat. Pull a gardening rake across the surface of the soil in rows. This should help to mix the compost into the soil and also smooth out the surface of your planting area.[5]
EditPlanting Your Plants - Dig a hole that's as deep as the root ball. Dig a hole in your amended soil that's just as deep as your root ball is tall. This is necessary because your plant will adapt to the new environment and thrive best if its root ball is level with the ground. Also, make sure that the hole is slightly wider than your rootball is to ensure a proper fit.[6]
- If necessary, measure the root ball of your plant from top to bottom and side to side with a tape measure before you dig to ensure that the hole is the correct size.
- Remove the root ball from the container and squeeze the edges. While holding the plant with one hand, carefully pull the container off of the root ball with the other. Rough up the edges of the root ball by squeezing it in several different areas with your hands. This should help the plant adapt to its new environment.[7]
- If working with a larger plant, such as a tree, it may be better to lay your plant on its side or get a friend to help you at this point.
- Place the root ball in the hole and fill it the rest of the way with water. Lower the root ball into the hole and make sure that it's centered and straight. Turn on a hose or fill a watering can and fill the extra space in the hole with water. This should create a ring of water around the root ball between it and the ground.[8]
- Backfill the hole with soil. Push in all of the soil that you dug up when you dug the hole. Make sure that this soil is evenly spaced around the base of the plant to encourage adaptation and proper growth.[9]
EditChoosing Plants that Thrive in Poor Soil - Grow asters or black-eyed susans in clay. If you have clay soil and you don't want to amend it, opt for plants that grow well in the soil as it is. Consider growing aster, as it adapts well and typically doesn't struggle to flourish in clay like other plants do. Black-eyed susans also do well in clay, and they grow and spread quickly. Go with black-eyed susans if you'd like a pop of yellow in your garden.[10]
- Black-eyed susans grow best in zones 3-11, while asters grow best in zones 3-9.
- Go with a hackberry or hedge maple tree if you have clay soil. Either of these trees can be grown in a variety of soil types, including clay. Go for the hackberry if you want a tall tree that attracts wildlife and opt for a hedge maple if you'd prefer a hedge-like tree.[11]
- Go with yarrow or california poppies if you have sandy soil. Plant yarrow if you can provide full sun for it or california poppies if you'd like a vibrant variety of color in your garden. Both of these can grow and stay healthy in a soil that's mostly make up of sand.[12]
- Plant white pines or red cedars in dry, sandy soil. If your poor soil is of a sandy variety and you want to grow trees, you can do so without amending your soil. Opt for a red cedar if you have a smaller yard, and a white pine if you have a big space for it to grow in.[13]
- White pines often grow to be taller than !
- Choose bellflower or lavender for rocky soil. Both of these types of plants can flourish in poor, rocky soil. Skip the amendment process and plant bell flowers if you're willing to stay on top of frequent waterings. Plant some lavender instead if you can provide full sun.[14]
EditThings You'll Need - Store-bought compost or organic matter
- Sand (optional)
- Pea gravel (optional)
- Dolomitic lime (optional)
- Elemental sulfur (optional)
- Plastic bucket or bag
- Shovel
- Rake
- Root ball
- Tape measure (optional)
- Water
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| How to Change Your Name in Skype Posted: 21 Mar 2018 01:00 AM PDT This wikiHow teaches you how to change your Skype display name, which is the name people see when you appear in their contacts. You can change your Skype display name on the Skype website and on the mobile version of Skype, but you cannot change your Skype display name in the Skype program for Windows and Mac computers. You also can't change your Skype username without creating a new account. EditOn the Skype Website - Open the Skype website. Go to https://www.skype.com/ in your browser. If you're already signed into Skype, you'll see your username in the top-right corner of the page.
- If you aren't already signed in, click Sign in in the top-right corner and enter your email address and password.
- Click your name. It's in the top-right corner of the page. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
- If you had to sign into Skype, skip this step and the next step.
- Click . This option is near the top of the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down and click . It's in the blue column that's on the left side of the page. This will open your profile page.
- Click . This button is in the upper-right side of the Profile page.
- Edit your name. Type a new first and/or last name into the appropriately labeled text field(s) near the top of the "Personal information" area.
- Click . It's a green button in the top-right corner of the page. Doing so will save your name and apply it to your Skype account; the next time you open Skype while connected to the Internet, you should see your new name.
EditOn Mobile - Open Skype. Tap the Skype app icon, which resembles a white "S" on a blue background. This will open the main Skype page if you're logged in.
- If you aren't logged into your Skype profile, enter your email address (or username, or phone number) and password before proceeding.
- Tap your profile image. It's a circular image at the top of the screen. Doing so opens your profile menu.
- Tap the "Edit" icon next to your name. You should see this pencil-shaped icon near the top of the screen.
- On Android, you'll need to first press the gear icon .
- Change your name. Using the on-screen keyboard, modify your name as needed.
- Tap . It's to the right of your name. This will save your changes and apply them to your Skype display name on all platforms, including desktop.
- You can rename contacts on desktop by clicking their profile image and then entering a new name for them.
- If your contacts have changed your name in their address books, your name change won't affect the name that they see for you.
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