where do I keep the green card

[newlyweds2010 208]

The law says that the LPR has to carry his green card with him/herself at all times. Excluding those times when it is physically impossible or at least very inconvenient (e.g. while taking a shower), I was wondering what the LPRs here on VJ do. do you guys keep a photocopy in your wallet and the original at home? or you really go around with the original card? I'm just scared to lose it or to have it stolen. and then getting a new one is a real - and very expensive - pain in the @$$.

[Inky 1,111]

Keep a copy of front and back of it at home and in my car glove box. Also have a photo of front and back on my cellphone. I keep my Greencard on my person whenever I go out in my purse(in a seperate compartment from the main area incase someone trys to nick my wallet out of it). Of course you dont need it ON you when you are at home because it is in the home with you!

[sciencenerd 56]

My wife has a high quality copy of it in her wallet (cardstock so it's durable) and leaves the actual card at home. It may not be totally kosher, but we don't carry $400 with us ever, which is essentially what it is if it was lost. The chances of there ever being a problem with not having it are so much smaller than the chances of us losing it or it being stolen. I've never actually heard of someone getting in trouble for not having it on them that wasn't solved by a spouse bringing it from home and I've only heard of that once on tv.

[w8inglongtime 29]

Most people leave it at home. If for any reason you are asked to show an ID, a driver's license will be more than enough. I'm not sure how that will go over in Arizona though.

[rheanick 42]

Most people leave it at home. If for any reason you are asked to show an ID, a driver's license will be more than enough. I'm not sure how that will go over in Arizona though.

From arizona, leave my greencard at home.I dont bring my greencard even when i travel to another state. I use my driver license for identification all the time.

[juliava 80]

I prefer to keep the GC at home and carry a copy - front and back- in my purse.

Think about this: if you have your green card in your wallet/purse and your purse gets stolen with your wallet - you will be in big trouble, your bank cards are gone, your DL is gone and of course your GC is gone too. Now, here is the problem:

If you need to get new debit cards/credit cards , you will probaby need an ID. Ooops, it was in your wallet.

If you want to go ahead and apply for a new DL - ooops, you need proof of legal presence and that's actually your GC.

That's why I like to not carry valuable items in my purse!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The law says that the LPR has to carry his green card with him/herself at all times. Excluding those times when it is physically impossible or at least very inconvenient (e.g. while taking a shower), I was wondering what the LPRs here on VJ do. do you guys keep a photocopy in your wallet and the original at home? or you really go around with the original card? I'm just scared to lose it or to have it stolen. and then getting a new one is a real - and very expensive - pain in the @$.

No, you are wrong. "At all times" means just that: at all times, which includes the times when taking a shower or having sex or going out on a swim in the ocean. No exceptions. USCIS suggests to have it dangling on a chain around your neck in theses times which can be a real dealbreaker when you picked up a chick in some bar and brought her home to . . . uhhh . . .

Anyway, I always keep my card with my passport in a locked fireproof safe deposit box which is in a Steelcase cabinet in the basement of my home. I suggest you keep the card where you keep $10K cash in your house: the safest place you can think of.

[caeremonarius 26]

No, you are wrong. "At all times" means just that: at all times, which includes the times when taking a shower or having sex or going out on a swim in the ocean. No exceptions. USCIS suggests to have it dangling on a chain around your neck in theses times which can be a real dealbreaker when you picked up a chick in some bar and brought her home to . . . uhhh . . .

HILARIOUS!

I think I'll show this to my wife (we were just having the same discussion last night ... right after her GC came in the mail!).

Anyway, I always keep my card with my passport in a locked fireproof safe deposit box which is in a Steelcase cabinet in the basement of my home. I suggest you keep the card where you keep $10K cash in your house: the safest place you can think of.

Thanks for this advice. We've been looking for a safe to keep our valuables in, so having the card will make us get it sooner rather than later!

Thanks, too, to the previous poster who'd recommended making a high quality copy for "everyday" use. We'll make a copy of my wife's card ASAP. After we get her SSN and driver's license, we'll keep the original in the safe (that we'll be getting soon), and only take it out for when she absolutely needs it.

Great posts! Thanks to the OP and to all who answered!

AJ

[TBoneTX 46,461]

This is not a laughing matter. Follow the law. Do you really want a CBP/ICE or other Federal agent on your case?

Edited December 20, 2010 by TBoneTX

[newlyweds2010 208]

This is not a laughing matter. Follow the law. Do you really want a CBP/ICE or other Federal agent on your case?

Not laughing at all, my question is damn serious. I was just asking what the other LPRs do, because I can't really believe that everybody goes around 24/7 with their green card in the wallet. Of course if I was to take a road trip or even a local flight within the US I would carry the original with me. Even more and for obvious reasons when I will go back home on vacation.

My question is more for the everyday routine, such as going to the store or to work or to the gym or to the beach or to the restaurant or etc. etc.

@JustBob:

I suspected that "At all times" meant exactly that: at all times. This morning before taking a shower I put it into a ziplock bag. In the meantime I'm trying to find where the previous tenant might have hidden his $10,000. Not because I want to put my card in the same spot, but really because I'd like to find his $10,000.

Let me ask one more question: once I have my new CA DL (6 weeks to receive the new model, I'm already 2 weeks into the wait) can I finally leave my passport at home (along with the $10,000 left by the former tenant, which I hope I will have located by then)?

[TBoneTX 46,461]

Not laughing at all, my question is damn serious.

Please re-read the first three words of your opening post: "The law says." That's your answer, and THE answer.

I was just asking what the other LPRs do, because I can't really believe that everybody goes around 24/7 with their green card in the wallet.

Those who don't are potentially playing with fire, because they can be stopped at any time by a Federal agent, or by a local law-enforcement officer whose agency is part of the ICE 287g or "Secure Communities" program. We don't know and can't know if or when such interaction will occur.

My question is more for the everyday routine, such as going to the store or to work or to the gym or to the beach or to the restaurant or etc. etc.

Please re-read the first three words of your opening post: "The law says." As with every step of the visa journey, we have best results (or the fewest negative results) when we read accurately, interpret literally, and follow instructions completely.

[angel_28 1]

As I live in San Diego County, I always carried mine with me at all times. I crossed the border regularly, and travelled as well to AZ (before the whole issue came up with AZ). I was asked for it many times at border patrol checkpoints, and by border patrol agents while waiting to get on public transportation at stops near the border.

It feels wierd opening my wallet and not seeing it anymore now that I am a US citizen, but my recomendation would be to keep it in your wallet. You just never know when you will need it.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Let me ask one more question: once I have my new CA DL (6 weeks to receive the new model, I'm already 2 weeks into the wait) can I finally leave my passport at home (along with the $10,000 left by the former tenant, which I hope I will have located by then)?

Sure.

See, in California (and all other states) the DL is your primary form of identification. You get pulled over by a cop; you will be asked to show your DL. The cop is not authorized to even inquire about your immigration status, let alone ask you to show him your GC, and that includes Arizona.

The passport is for international travel and the GC is the one document you will need to enter the US again. Hence, the GC needs to be with your passport.

I live in SoCal for close to 19 years now, have driven many times very close to the Mexican border when visiting San Diego or Escondido, the last time past Thanksgiving. I have never, ever, not once been asked for my Green Card or SS card. That said, I'm a 6'6" tall white guy with light brown hair and blue eyes, meaning nobody would mistake me for a Mexican, which is what CBP is focused on.

If I, like Angel_28 stated, were to cross the Mexican border "frequently," I would carry my card with me as well. Duuuh!

[TBoneTX 46,461]

I have never, ever, not once been asked for my Green Card or SS card.

JB, I hope that you're never stopped and find yourself regretting that you don't have your green card with you. To all who are reading here, it's the difference between "have a nice day, sir" and "we're officially detaining you until we determine your lawful status."

[Canadiandggal 49]

JB, I hope that you're never stopped and find yourself regretting that you don't have your green card with you. To all who are reading here, it's the difference between "have a nice day, sir" and "we're officially detaining you until we determine your lawful status."

I want to be detained.... "cuff me officerrr" ha ha

I keep my newly acquired green card in my purse with my passport, I really do not want to lose it but I'll just try my best for the next three years not to.