Must she carry her green card daily?

[katiemanny 64]

Unless I am going to travel abroad my Green Card is in the sate box to stay, not even USCIS itself will change that. If it was free of charge to replace then I would carry it with me at all times.

[Loving Neneng 1]

"If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid green card in your possession at all times."

the above is the law, the below is the link for it.

uscis link

Wow, I had looked and looked to find something like that and could not but thanks for posting the link. I do think we will still just carry the copy and keep the original in the big gun safe. Thanks for all the replies.

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Unless I am going to travel abroad my Green Card is in the sate box to stay, not even USCIS itself will change that. If it was free of charge to replace then I would carry it with me at all times.

I can't believe all of the posters here who admit that they will flout the law. May you never, ever meet up with a Federal agent (or a state or local law-enforcement officer whose department is part of an ICE program) who demands your green card, and you don't have it to supply it. You deserve whatever is coming to you, and it won't be pleasant. I hope that someday on VJ we read a first-hand report of exactly what happens in such an instance. Edited June 1, 2011 by TBoneTX

[SuperDuper! 230]

Everybody here is saying how they worry that they might lose their GC if they carry it with them This is the part I don't understand. It's the same size as your Driver License. How many of you ever lost your DL? I never did. It's just sitting in your wallet, how can you lose it? Just put your GC behind a DL and you are done worrying about loosing it.

The drivers license costs $25 dollars to replace. The mighty GC costs $450 to replace. Your logic says we can carry gold coins behind the DL and not worry about it ever being stolen or lost. Or maybe we can carry the passwords to our online bank, credit cards and retirement accts behind the drivers license, so even Superman or his Nemesis could never pry them from our possession. Not buying, but thanks. Peace.

[rika60607 215]

Well, what's the fine for not carrying a GC? Probably less than the cost of replacing it.

Besides there are plenty of times when LPRs legitimately do not have a GC to carry. How would this law apply to them? Like if you lost a GC and file for replacement, but it takes 6 months to get a replacement? Or shortly after arrival to US, when your GC did not just arrive yet?

I dare say that it is your status that matters, not whether you have a physical GC on you at all times. (But prepare to be detained until your status is verified).

I can't believe all of the posters here who admit that they will flout the law. May you never, ever meet up with a Federal agent (or a state or local law-enforcement officer whose department is part of an ICE program) who demands your green card, and you don't have it to supply it. You deserve whatever is coming to you, and it won't be pleasant. I hope that someday on VJ we read a first-hand report of exactly what happens in such an instance.

[DrVS 10]

Well, what's the fine for not carrying a GC? Probably less than the cost of replacing it.

Well, the governing law in this situation is INA 264(e): Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

So... If you want to have a misdemeanor on your record plus possibly $100 fine plus possibly up to 30 day jail, then suit yourself.

[JeremyR 8]

I'm surrounded by three 287(g) counties. I carry mine.

[markb 2]

Anyone got examples of anyone be prosecuted for not carrying their green card?

[katiemanny 64]

Anyone got examples of anyone be prosecuted for not carrying their green card?

No, the judge would dismiss the case in a heart beat. Just like when you get pulled over by a Cop and you don't have your DL with you, as soon as you present your DL in the Court, case is dismissed.

Again my Green Card is in the safe box to stay unless I am traveling out of State or Abroad, if it was 0 fee to replace I would be more than happy to carry it in my pocket.

Edited June 1, 2011 by katiemanny

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Let's use logic and common sense when trying to figure out whether or not carrying makes sense:

1) Lose Green Card

Definite cost to replace: $450.00

Waiting time: 3 to 6 months

Chance of losing it eventually: about 25%

2) Not carry Green Card

Definite cost to replace: $0

Waiting time: 0

Chance of losing it eventually: 0%

Yep, that's a tough one!

[DrVS 10]

Just Bob, I am curious, how did you come up with the 25% chance of loosing the green card. Anyhow, in your cost/benefit analysis you are missing the fact that the cheap and convenient solution violates federal law. Other than that, your logic is undeniable.

[Krikit 1,164]

I can't believe all of the posters here who admit that they will flout the law. May you never, ever meet up with a Federal agent (or a state or local law-enforcement officer whose department is part of an ICE program) who demands your green card, and you don't have it to supply it. You deserve whatever is coming to you, and it won't be pleasant. I hope that someday on VJ we read a first-hand report of exactly what happens in such an instance.

That's rather harsh.

I don't carry my GC because the driver's license I carry requires me to show proof of permanent residency before they will issue it. My proof is my GC. My DL is proof that I have a GC. No way am I taking the chance of losing it.

[JeremyR 8]

I think, honestly, it depends on the kind of place where you live and in all likelihood the nationality of the LPR (sad but probably true).

I mentioned 287(g) above. In Georgia, immigration is a hot button topic of the moment. Three counties near me are part of the program, as are the State Patrol. If they should arrest you, you'll be challenged about your immigration status when you're booked in at the county nick. A green card deals with that little matter instantly and without hassle. Not having your GC would make it a messy and probably very unpleasant experience while they clear it up. Now I for one don't plan on being arrested for anything but it seems to be something that can happen at the drop of a hat for very minor things so it would be foolish to assume it'll never happen to you.

The stats for one of the 287(g) counties in Metro Atlanta paints a clear picture. The vast majority of those detained for immigration matters were from Latin America and the vast, vast majority were arrested for minor traffic violations, not having their DL or "other misdemeanor" offences. Having your GC on your person, if you're in those groups and/or in an area where 'catching the illegals' is a big deal, would be more than advised!

[Boiler 45,516]

I have seen posts on immigrate2us where people have been detained for a day or so.

Not really a direct cost I guess.

[TBoneTX 45,291]

I for one don't plan on being arrested for anything but it seems to be something that can happen at the drop of a hat for very minor things so it would be foolish to assume it'll never happen to you.

Si, man.