U.S. Green Card Strategies: Adjustment vs. Consular Processing and Tax Planning for Green Card Holders

Pablo Velez
Pablo Velez
Velez & Cipriano, PLLC

Pablo G. Velez’s practice encompasses all areas of immigration law, with emphasis on business and family immigration.

J. Terence MacAvery
J. Terence MacAvery
Goldstein Jones LLP

Senior tax executive with 40+ years of extensive experience working with U.S. and multinational clients in a variety of industries as a CPA and tax attorney.

On-Demand: January 23, 2025

2 hour CLE

Tuition: $195.00
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Program Summary

This course provides a guide to the permanent residency process, analyzing the pros and cons of adjustment of status versus consular processing. It covers the nuances of adjustment of status with USCIS within the U.S. and consular processing through USCIS, the National Visa Center, and the State Department's consular section, as well as the most common resident categories. It explains the rights and responsibilities of permanent residents and the pathway to citizenship.

It also addresses tax planning for green card holders, who are subject to U.S. taxation on their worldwide income. Strategies include managing foreign income and assets, leveraging treaty benefits, and navigating dual taxation issues. Effective tax planning enables green card holders to mitigate liabilities, maximize deductions, ensure compliance with U.S. tax laws, and avoid common pitfalls.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • US: Citizen/legal permanent resident/non-immigrant visa holders/asylees
  • Non-immigrant visa holders and asylees become eligible for permanent residency
  • Applying for permanent residency - adjustment vs. consular processing
  • Remaining in residency status (rights and responsibilities) vs. making the leap to naturalization
  • Worldwide taxation for green card holders
  • Foreign asset reporting and compliance
  • Tax treaties and avoiding double taxation
  • Tax optimization strategies

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Pablo Velez_myLawCLEPablo Velez | Velez & Cipriano, PLLC

Pablo G. Velez’s practice encompasses all areas of immigration law, with emphasis on business and family immigration. For over a decade and a half, Mr. Velez has represented and assisted international and domestic businesses, professionals, and individuals from all over the world in the successful filing and petitioning of various immigrant and non-immigrant visas for corporations, families, and investors. He also has significant experience with refugee matters, especially with asylum cases, and has represented clients in removal proceedings before the United States Immigration Court.

Mr. Velez is a graduate of the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York and speaks both English and Spanish.

 

J. Terence MacAvery_myLawCLEJ. Terence MacAvery, JD, CPA | Goldstein Jones LLP

Senior tax executive with 40+ years of extensive experience working with U.S. and multinational clients in a variety of industries as a CPA and tax attorney. Of Counsel with Goldstein Jones LLP, Attorneys-at-law since October 2022. From November 2010 to October 2022 as Managing Director at CBIZ MHM, LLC in the tax department in New York City. For the 8 years prior to that a Partner with Hamilton & MacAvery CPA’s. Before those 27 years with KPMG in NYC, the last 16 years as Partner.

Professional background includes highly respected skills in domestic and international tax, strategic planning and analysis, merger and acquisition negotiation and related integration as well as presentations to boards of directors, government agencies, and trade and professional organizations.

Agenda

I. US: Citizen/legal permanent resident/non-immigrant visa holders/asylees | 1:00pm – 1:15pm

II. Non-immigrant visa holders and asylees become eligible for permanent residency | 1:15pm – 1:30pm

III. Applying for permanent residency – adjustment vs. consular processing | 1:30pm – 1:45pm

IV. Remaining in residency status (rights and responsibilities) vs. making the leap to naturalization | 1:45pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

V. Worldwide taxation for green card holders | 2:10pm – 2:25pm

VI. Foreign asset reporting and compliance | 2:25pm – 2:40pm

VII. Tax treaties and avoiding double taxation | 2:40pm – 2:55pm

VIII. Tax optimization strategies | 2:55pm – 3:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hours

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2.5 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Illinois

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Indiana

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hours

Maryland

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hours

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hours

Minnesota

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Missouri

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2.4 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
120 General Minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Nevada

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
2 CLE Hours

Tennessee

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
2 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
2 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
2 Law & Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washington via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

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