Contests and our residency status

[vanee 13]

I like to enter contests. Eventually I've got to win one of them.

The rules for contests here in the US usually say that you must be a legal resident of the US to qualify. I know that I'm here legally, but I'm out of status because my I-94 is long expired and I'm waiting for my green card. A lot of us are in this in-between place with our status. If I were to win one of those contests before getting my green card, could I be disqualified because they don't consider me a "legal resident"?

It's not a hugely important question, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Does anyone know the answer?

Thanks.

[Ngoc-Anh 1]

I would say that if you do not have your GC yet, it is not considered as a permanent resident. Because there are cases that they deny the GC.

[alexpapa 4]

I like to enter contests. Eventually I've got to win one of them.

The rules for contests here in the US usually say that you must be a legal resident of the US to qualify. I know that I'm here legally, but I'm out of status because my I-94 is long expired and I'm waiting for my green card. A lot of us are in this in-between place with our status. If I were to win one of those contests before getting my green card, could I be disqualified because they don't consider me a "legal resident"?

It's not a hugely important question, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Does anyone know the answer?

Thanks.

I have thought about that so many times

I would imagine that considering the judges decisions are always final it could just be up to their judgement.

[Johnnie J 0]

One is not a LPR of the US until he/she receives their GC.

[vanee 13]

I would say that if you do not have your GC yet, it is not considered as a permanent resident. Because there are cases that they deny the GC.

One is not a LPR of the US until he/she receives their GC.

I agree that we are not permanent residents until we get our green cards. My question is whether we're considered legal residents of the US according to the law. We aren't illegal, but does the law define us as legal residents when our status is in limbo? I think so, but I don't know.

I have thought about that so many times

I would imagine that considering the judges decisions are always final it could just be up to their judgement.

Yeah. I enter my husband's name to be safe, but it would be nice to know that I could enter my name and have something to point to to show that I'm a legal resident of the US at this time.

[Shakil 4]

It is not a question of legal or illegal. You are not a resident of this country until you get your green card. That is called permanent residence. People in AOS are legal but not residents until they receive their GC

Edited October 8, 2008 by Shakil

[Zee Bee 61]

You are not a LPR until your AOS is approved. Until then I think you are out of status.

[vanee 13]

You are not a LPR until your AOS is approved. Until then I think you are out of status.

That's already been covered, thanks.

Again, my question is not about being a permanent resident. That part is clear.

It is not a question of legal or illegal. You are not a resident of this country until you get your green card. That is called permanent residence. People in AOS are legal but not residents until they receive their GC

I am a resident of this country. There are millions of people in the US who are here illegally and are residents. Legal or not, this is where we live. Speaking for myself, I brought everything that I own with me, I've lived here for almost a year, and I have no other residence, so this is it.

I'm guessing that none of us knows the answer about whether we're legally considered legal residents while we're waiting for our green cards. Perhaps we're something like temporary legal residents?

[mellowgeorge 1]

this question is similar to residency for tax purposes, where immigration and taxation purposes have different meanings to residency.

I was an F-1 student receiving an annual stipend. Immigrationwise, I'm a non-resident alien, but tax-wise, I'm a resident of the state and I get taxed the state's rates (same goes for local taxes) because I lived and worked in the state.

As for the contests, I'm really not sure how they'll treat this case. If it's a small contest, maybe they'll let it go but if it's a big one (like winning a car, house, millions of dollars) they may be more strict.

Edited October 9, 2008 by mellowgeorge

[Shakil 4]

You are not a LPR until your AOS is approved. Until then I think you are out of status.

That's already been covered, thanks.

Again, my question is not about being a permanent resident. That part is clear.

It is not a question of legal or illegal. You are not a resident of this country until you get your green card. That is called permanent residence. People in AOS are legal but not residents until they receive their GC

I am a resident of this country. There are millions of people in the US who are here illegally and are residents. Legal or not, this is where we live. Speaking for myself, I brought everything that I own with me, I've lived here for almost a year, and I have no other residence, so this is it.

I'm guessing that none of us knows the answer about whether we're legally considered legal residents while we're waiting for our green cards. Perhaps we're something like temporary legal residents?

I agree, you are a resident of this country but that is according to you. According to USCIS and Dept of Homeland security you are legal but you are NOT a resident. Your application for adjustment of status (understand the meaning of the word adjustment of status), meaning you are getting your status adjusted from a non-resident to a resident not resident to a resident. Unfortunately, what matters is what USCIS and Dept of Homeland Security thinks, not what you think. It can have dire consequences if you claim to be a resident and if you are not.

[mellowgeorge 1]

I dont think that the USCIS will get involved with contests and raffles, IMO. The worst thing that may happen is that if you win, you might be disqualified.

[alexpapa 4]

I dont think that the USCIS will get involved with contests and raffles, IMO. The worst thing that may happen is that if you win, you might be disqualified.

Which would REALLY suck if it happened to be a $20mil Lotto prize!