Carrying around green card?

[David-and-Mae 15]

What document should my husband carry now while his AOS is pending? he doesn't have a driver license or state ID, the SS card is supposed to be left at home, his passport is bulky and not easy to replace, his I94 is expired. Could he be randomly asked to identify himself? I never thought that it was necessary in the USA to carry anything. I am a naturalized citizen myself, and I never carried anything if i just went out for a walk, and never ever carried my green card, but I understand that things have changed.

When my AOS was pending, I was carrying copies of marriage certificate, recent receipt that I received from USCIS to prove that I was working on my AOS, my passport (biographical page) and visa.

[Melyssa 0]

My husband finally received his green card yesterday in the mail.

It says that permanent residents must carry their green cards around at all times.

Seeing as how importatnt this card is, we were wondering if he could just make a copy and carry that paper around.

I'm wondering why this needs to be done. I mean, why does it need to be carried around? How would people know whether a person is a US Citizen or a permanent resident?

They don't ask citizens to carry around pieces of paper because I sure as hell don't.

Wouldn't it be possible for the permanent resident to say that they're a citizen?

What purposes does the green card hold when carried around? I think he has enough identification with his driver's license.

Wow, interesting topic. I would be reluctant to carry mine around at all times but then I'd also be reluctant to do something illegal even if it seemed stupid. So I don't know what I will end up doing.

And your husband can't say he is a citizen. He's not a citizen - he's a permanent resident!

[Melyssa 0]

I only carry a paper copy with me because husband worries about purse-stealing that can lead to identity theft. I used to carry around a copy of my SS card too but have decided that it's too risky. I got my driving permit and military ID for proper identifications.

--Mae

It's funny you should mention that - I remember reading on the SSC instructions that I should never carry it around with me but rather keep it in a safe place! So it's weird that the permanent resident card instructions say the opposite.

I would also be concerned about identity theft. I am close to someone who had a wallet stolen!

[JoeCanuk 3]

I'm just going to carry mine around. I'll photocopy it in case I lose it but why not carry something around that proves you have the right to be here? We have no problem carrying drivers licenses, why not a green card? Especially when it's required by law. After all the ####### that we endure in the immigration process, I'm going to carry it around and I'm going to carry it around proudly.

[Melyssa 0]

I'm just going to carry mine around. I'll photocopy it in case I lose it but why not carry something around that proves you have the right to be here? We have no problem carrying drivers licenses, why not a green card? Especially when it's required by law. After all the ####### that we endure in the immigration process, I'm going to carry it around and I'm going to carry it around proudly.

Very true!!

[boardashell_2000 0]

What document should my husband carry now while his AOS is pending? he doesn't have a driver license or state ID, the SS card is supposed to be left at home, his passport is bulky and not easy to replace, his I94 is expired. Could he be randomly asked to identify himself? I never thought that it was necessary in the USA to carry anything. I am a naturalized citizen myself, and I never carried anything if i just went out for a walk, and never ever carried my green card, but I understand that things have changed.

My husband carried around his passport which had the visa in it....until we were able to ss card and then state id....

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I'm just going to carry mine around. I'll photocopy it in case I lose it but why not carry something around that proves you have the right to be here? We have no problem carrying drivers licenses, why not a green card? Especially when it's required by law. After all the ####### that we endure in the immigration process, I'm going to carry it around and I'm going to carry it around proudly.

Very true!!

I think some people are concerned about the expense of replacing a lost or stolen green card--$370--which is significantly more than replacing a lost license.

[Melyssa 0]

I'm just going to carry mine around. I'll photocopy it in case I lose it but why not carry something around that proves you have the right to be here? We have no problem carrying drivers licenses, why not a green card? Especially when it's required by law. After all the ####### that we endure in the immigration process, I'm going to carry it around and I'm going to carry it around proudly.

Very true!!

I think some people are concerned about the expense of replacing a lost or stolen green card--$370--which is significantly more than replacing a lost license.

Yeah... I know I would be reluctant to carry mine around... and I can't say I'm all that worried about being stopped by police randomly.

[N360 0]

I'm not 100% sure on the Washington State Laws. But in some of the other states I have lived, there have been new laws under discussion where police can ask about immigration status. It just depends on the state.

My husband carries his original green card with him. I like Crikey!'s explanation. We did photo copy the front and the back of the card and keep the copy at home; just in case he looses the card, copy is requested when you file for removal of conditions, and maybe a replacement card too (it doesn't make sense that you could copy it if it was lost and needing replacing.)

I was just wondering about the legality of cops asking questions about an immigrant status but certainly, an LPR should ALWAYS carry their green cards. Its the law and it is really not subject to personal interpretations. If your afraid of losing it, you can always get another one.

[N360 0]

I think some people are concerned about the expense of replacing a lost or stolen green card--$370--which is significantly more than replacing a lost license.

I must admit that when I had my green card over 20 years ago, I didnt carry it either. But times back then were different.

It was pre-911. Security werent this tight and cops could not ask us questions about our legal status.

Somone posted a story about an immigrant, who didnt carry her green card, and got stopped for a traffic violation. She ended up spening some time in jail until the cops could clear everything up.

For me, the $370 cost to replace a card IF it gets lost is worth it if it ensures she wont have to spend any time in jail IF she gets stopped by the cops for anything.

[Melyssa 0]

I'm not 100% sure on the Washington State Laws. But in some of the other states I have lived, there have been new laws under discussion where police can ask about immigration status. It just depends on the state.

My husband carries his original green card with him. I like Crikey!'s explanation. We did photo copy the front and the back of the card and keep the copy at home; just in case he looses the card, copy is requested when you file for removal of conditions, and maybe a replacement card too (it doesn't make sense that you could copy it if it was lost and needing replacing.)

I was just wondering about the legality of cops asking questions about an immigrant status but certainly, an LPR should ALWAYS carry their green cards. Its the law and it is really not subject to personal interpretations. If your afraid of losing it, you can always get another one.

I understand your point, but with the risk of it being lost or stolen even, I'd also understand someone worrying about identity theft... which is kinda common sadly. Either situations could happen - being stopped by police or having a wallet and identity stolen, and if something is lost, the worry would be there that someone might find it and steal the identity. In my experience, someone close to me had a wallet stolen, and we don't know what happened with the cards... at least my friend was able to cancel them.

I don't understand why social security cards are never to be carried (according to the instructions - and their reasoning is to avoid the risk of being lost or stolen) but PM cards are. Both are very important. I'm not saying I won't carry mine because I wouldn't want to do something illegal, but, honestly, it would be impossible to follow that 100% anyways. It would be impossible to carry while swimming, for instance, unless we didn't mind it getting wet and the only ''safe'' way to carry our cards to a beach (or whatever other example there is) is to put them in a locker (if one is available) or leave them with a highly trusted friend (if they don't mind being left out) and technically we wouldn't be carrying it with us... but those are just my thoughts! I wouldn't have a problem carrying it with me in a car in the risk of being stopped for some traffic reason, I don't think - especially if I was the driver, but that's different than carrying it absolutely everywhere...

Edited March 1, 2008 by Melyssa

[Melyssa 0]

I'm not 100% sure on the Washington State Laws. But in some of the other states I have lived, there have been new laws under discussion where police can ask about immigration status. It just depends on the state.

My husband carries his original green card with him. I like Crikey!'s explanation. We did photo copy the front and the back of the card and keep the copy at home; just in case he looses the card, copy is requested when you file for removal of conditions, and maybe a replacement card too (it doesn't make sense that you could copy it if it was lost and needing replacing.)

I was just wondering about the legality of cops asking questions about an immigrant status but certainly, an LPR should ALWAYS carry their green cards. Its the law and it is really not subject to personal interpretations. If your afraid of losing it, you can always get another one.

I understand your point, but with the risk of it being lost or stolen even, I'd also understand someone worrying about identity theft... which is kinda common sadly. Either situations could happen - being stopped by police or having a wallet and identity stolen, and if something is lost, the worry would be there that someone might find it and steal the identity. In my experience, someone close to me had a wallet stolen, and we don't know what happened with the cards... at least my friend was able to cancel them.

I don't understand why social security cards are never to be carried (according to the instructions - and their reasoning is to avoid the risk of being lost or stolen) but PM cards are. Both are very important. I'm not saying I won't carry mine because I wouldn't want to do something illegal, but, honestly, it would be impossible to follow that 100% anyways. It would be impossible to carry while swimming, for instance, unless we didn't mind it getting wet and the only ''safe'' way to carry our cards to a beach (or whatever other example there is) is to put them in a locker (if one is available) or leave them with a highly trusted friend (if they don't mind being left out) and technically we wouldn't be carrying it with us... but those are just my thoughts! I wouldn't have a problem carrying it with me in a car in the risk of being stopped for some traffic reason, I don't think - especially if I was the driver, but that's different than carrying it absolutely everywhere...

Oh and I just want to add that yeah, those who said people have no problem carrying their DL around, so what's the issue with carrying the PM card around... I think are correct.

I'm just musing, not taking a side or anything... I don't know what I'll end up doing for sure and, having gone through all this visa process legally, and not wanting to do anything illegal, of course I want to do things legally if possible!

Edited March 1, 2008 by Melyssa

[Reba 2]

From the USCIS website:

Now That You Are A Permanent Resident

Welcome

Now that you have become a Permanent Resident of the United States we would like to welcome and congratulate you on your accomplishment. Some of you came to the United States as immigrants through a relative or through an employer. Some of you came as refugees or were given asylum status. And some of you came through other programs, like the Diversity Visa Lottery. But now that you are Permanent Residents you all share the same status. You have certain rights and certain responsibilities as Permanent Residents. This document will give you a general idea of what those rights and responsibilities are and some other useful information related to your immigration status as a Permanent Resident. You may also wish to read Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants, a guide (in English and 10 other languages) containing practical information to help immigrants settle into everyday life in the United States, as well as basic civics information that introduces new immigrants to the U.S. system of government.

Some of you may be CONDITIONAL RESIDENTS. This page applies equally to you while you are in conditional resident status. The difference between you and an unconditioned permanent resident is that your permanent resident status will expire in two years from when it was given, unless you successfully petition to have the condition removed. Those of you with conditional permanent residence either received your residence through a marriage relationship where the marriage was less than two years old at the time you became a Permanent Resident, or you received that status through an investment as an employment creation immigrant (EB-5). If you successfully petition for removal of the condition on your immigration status, this page will still apply to you as a Permanent Resident.

Rights

As a Permanent Resident you have most of the rights of a United States Citizen but there are some exceptions.

Rights

To live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable (deportable) under the immigration law (section 237, Immigration and Nationality Act).

To be employed in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing.

To be protected by all of the laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions.

To vote in local elections where United States Citizenship is not required.

Exceptions

Some jobs will be limited to United States Citizens because of security concerns.

You may not vote in elections limited to United States Citizens.

Responsibilities

You are required to obey all of the laws of the United States, the States, and localities. You are required to file your income tax returns and report your income to the US Internal Revenue Service and State IRS. You are expected to support the democratic form of government and cannot attempt to change the government through illegal means. If you are a male, age 18 through 25, you are required to register with the Selective Service.

International Travel

A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration.

You can find more information about travel documents from "How Do I Get a Travel Document?"

Maintaining Permanent Residence

Maintaining Permanent Residence You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident.

You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

Move to another country intending to live there permanently.

Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.

Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.

Naturalization

Many Permanent Residents of the United States have the ultimate goal of becoming a US citizen. Naturalization is the primary method for most persons not born as US citizens to obtain that status. Under current law naturalization is done by the federal and state courts and in administrative proceedings. Once a permanent resident completes the necessary residence and physical presence requirements (which vary in certain cases), an application for naturalization can be filed with Immigration. This starts a review of the person’s basic eligibility, criminal and security histories, and then leads to testing of the person’s English language abilities, knowledge of the history and form of government of the US, and good moral character. Complete information on naturalization can be obtained on our Naturalization page.

As a naturalized US citizen you have the same rights and privileges as a native born US citizen with one exception. Only a native born US citizen can be president of the United States. As a US citizen you can petition for your parents and siblings to immigrate to the US. Your spouse and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) qualify for immediate relative classification for immigration purposes, which means they do not have a waiting list to immigrate (like the spouse and children of a Permanent Resident) and can do so as fast as the paperwork can be processed.

Permanent Resident Card

The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is issued to all Permanent Residents as evidence of alien registration and their permanent status in the US. The card must be in your possession at all times. This requirement means that you are not only required to have a currently valid Form I-551 at all times, but also that you must carry your currently valid Form I-551 on your person at all times. The Permanent Resident Card currently is issued with a 10-year validity. You status as a Permanent Resident does not expire with the 10-year validity. Only the card expires. The card is only valid up to the expiration date and must be renewed before it expires.

A Conditional Permanent Resident is issued a card valid for two years. In order to remain a Permanent Resident, the Conditional Permanent Resident must file a petition to remove the condition during the 90 days before the card expires. The conditional card cannot be renewed. The condition must be removed or you lose your permanent resident status. (See Form I-751 and Form I-829.)

The Permanent Resident Card (either unconditioned or conditioned) can be used to prove employment eligibility in the US when completing the Form I-9 for a new employer. It can also be used to apply for a Social Security Card and a state issued driver’s license. The card is valid for readmission to the United States if the trip was not greater than one year in length. If a trip will last longer than one year, a reentry permit is needed.

Relatives

A Permanent Resident can petition for some relatives to join him or her in the United States as immigrants. Those relatives are your spouse and children, regardless of age. See our page on "Immigration through a Family Member".

If you had a spouse and children when you became a Permanent Resident, they may be eligible for permanent residence through you without filing separate petitions. This depends on how you qualified for your permanent residence. You should ask an immigration officer, attorney, or voluntary help organization for advice about this.

Voting

One of the most important privileges of democracy in the United States of America is the right to participate in choosing elected officials through voting. As a Permanent Resident you can only vote in local and state elections that do not require you to be a US citizen. It is very important that you do not vote in national, state or local elections that require a voter to be a US citizen when you are not a US citizen. There are criminal penalties for voting when you are not a US citizen and it is a requirement for voting. You can be removed (deported) from the US if you vote in elections limited to US citizens.

Change of Address

You are required to notify us of any change of address within 10 days of that change. Form AR-11 is used for that purpose. You can learn more about change of address requirements is found at "How Do I Report a Change of Address?"

[Caladan 19]

We debated about it a little, but we decided that the green card is not more dangerous to carry than his credit cards, bank cards, or other forms of ID that he would need to replace, so it's in his wallet. His job involves a lot of travel (so it's not like I'd just have to run the green card down to the station were he pulled over) and explosives, so I'd rather not have him have any run-ins with the law.

[N360 0]

We debated about it a little, but we decided that the green card is not more dangerous to carry than his credit cards, bank cards, or other forms of ID that he would need to replace, so it's in his wallet. His job involves a lot of travel (so it's not like I'd just have to run the green card down to the station were he pulled over) and explosives, so I'd rather not have him have any run-ins with the law.

Wise choice. Uncle Sam would be proud. he he

Just be careful with it. $370 to replace!! Wow! That is ridiculous. I didnt know that. Maybe that's why UNcle Sam wants you to carry it. $370. LOL

Edited March 1, 2008 by NoelandTintin