green card

noun

: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the U.S.
green-carder noun

Examples of green card in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Refugees must apply for a green card within a year of arrival in the United States. Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024 On the Palestinian side, about 300 U.S. citizens, holders of green cards or their close relatives remain trapped inside Gaza, the State Department has said, and frantic relatives continue to press to get them out. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2023 Asylees have to wait a year after being granted asylum to apply for green cards, and at least five more years after that before applying for citizenship. Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 25 Mar. 2024 The ban covered people with legal permanent residency or green cards. Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2024 Union members often need help with immigration affairs, such as renewing work permits and green cards and applying for visas on behalf of family members, said Mendoza. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 Each year the lottery provides 50,000 green cards — granting legal, permanent residency — to people from countries with low levels of immigration to the U.S. Ngoie arrived in the U.S. a year after Monatshebe and settled in Michigan at first. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024 Nearly 2 million people are waiting for green cards as a path to legal citizenship in the U.S. Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2024 Diego appeared in court Thursday for his initial appearance related to the green card fraud charge, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Weigle ordered the murder suspect's brother to remain in federal custody while his case is pending prosecution. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'green card.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of green card was in 1956

Dictionary Entries Near green card

Cite this Entry

“Green card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20card. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Legal Definition

green card

noun
: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the U.S.
Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

More from Merriam-Webster on green card

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