The dissolution of a marriage following the grant of lawful permanent residency in the United States raises specific questions regarding immigration status. A legal separation finalized subsequent to the approval of a green card obtained through marriage does not automatically revoke that permanent residency. The individual remains a lawful permanent resident, subject to the standard regulations governing that status.
Maintaining lawful permanent resident status is crucial for individuals who obtained it through marriage but subsequently divorced. The benefits associated with this status, such as the ability to live and work in the United States indefinitely, the possibility of sponsoring relatives for immigration, and eventual eligibility for citizenship, remain generally intact. The historical context involves a shift in focus from maintaining the marriage to evaluating the legitimacy of the initial marriage at the time residency was granted.
