After Getting Your Green Card: How to Keep It
The technical name for holding a U.S. green card, or "lawful permanent residence," suggests that it lasts for as long as you like. The truth is more complicated, however. First, you are expected to carry the actual green card with you, which can lead to complications if it is lost or stolen. Second, your right to a green card itself may be lost if you take certain actions such as making your true home outside th U.S., committing a crime or security violation, or even failing to advise the U.S. immigration authorities when you change your address.
How to avoid becoming deportable, abandoning your residence, or otherwise losing your green card rights.
Though you have the right to travel, some cautions are in order.
During a lawful protest, you could find yourself committing or being arrested for acts that are grounds of deportability for green card holders and others.
Failure to follow U.S. tax laws will hurt your ability to qualify for U.S. citizenship. It may also be considered a crime -- such that your green card could be revoked and you could be deported.
You can lose your green card by claiming to be a U.S. citizen before it's true.
What's legal under state law may still be treated as a crime under federal immigration law.
A summary list of the statutory reasons why a green card holder may be removed from the United States.
Keeping your green card from getting lost or stolen is important, but the law nevertheless requires you to keep it with you at all times.
Some crimes can result in returning lawful permanent residents being found inadmissible or deportable, though DUIs are not usually among them.
Don't put your green card at risk by failing to comply with this basic obligation under U.S. immigration law.
Make sure to keep your green card up-to-date and valid.
If USCIS made the mistake, USCIS won't charge you the fee.
The green card and other ways to prove your status.
Line-by-line instructions for permanent residents seeking to renew or replace their I-551 card.
No longer interested in holding a U.S. green card? Here's how to formally surrender it.
Five years of permanent residence is the usual prerequisite, but find out whether you fall into an exception allowing you to apply early.
Got a green card, lived abroad for a year or more, and now want to return? Here are some options.
Reentry permits and other options for lawful permanent residents taking a trip outside the U.S. or stranded overseas.
Though green card holders are eligible for some public benefits, that doesn’t make receiving them risk-free.
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