Does anyone carry around their PR Card?

[lovetimhortons 1]

Hi all: I received my PR card (AOS-ed from a K1) several months ago. Do I really need to carry around my PR card at all times? It just seems excessive. Is it really the law like it says on the letter that came with it??

I almost always have my state driver's license on me. Isn't that enough to prove legal status (I doubt I'd ever be asked except to renew driver's license, etc).

My state does not have any of those laws like Arizona, that if I'm pulled over in my car for speeding/etc, then they can ask me for legal status.

Would love to know what other people are doing. Thanks for your answers.

[Barbara J 115]

Hi all: I received my PR card (AOS-ed from a K1) several months ago. Do I really need to carry around my PR card at all times? It just seems excessive. Is it really the law like it says on the letter that came with it??

I almost always have my state driver's license on me. Isn't that enough to prove legal status (I doubt I'd ever be asked except to renew driver's license, etc).

My state does not have any of those laws like Arizona, that if I'm pulled over in my car for speeding/etc, then they can ask me for legal status.

Would love to know what other people are doing. Thanks for your answers.

I carry mine with me all the time. You just don't know when you will be asked

[Inky 1,111]

I keep mine on me when I leave the state or go on base or things like that.

most people choose to carry a photo copy instead of the actual card because its 6 months wait time for replacement card and 400$ for the card to be replaced.

The law is the law though you are ment to carry it with you at all times.

[mrsfrisbey 6]

i'll be getting mine soon and i'd like to know the same thing. i don't think i'd be comfortable carrying it with me at all times. i have my state driver's license, too.

[lovetimhortons 1]

I feel nervous carrying it around because I don't want to lose it. I've lost my wallet once on the train about 5 years ago, and since then, try to carry as little as possible with me. I'd feel safer if it was in the safe at home! Good idea about the photocopy.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I have carried it faithfully for the last 3+ yrs (and I also have a state id)...honestly no one will ever pick me out of a crowd and say 'OMG you're an immigrant, where is your GC...prove you're allowed to be here'

However they do state that you are to carry it with you at all times, entirely up to you how you choose to interpret it. I agree that it is excessive, but it is what they ask you to do - if something happened out of the blue and you needed to prove your residency on the spot, wouldn't you prefer to have it on you?

[mrsfrisbey 6]

I keep mine on me when I leave the state or go on base or things like that.

most people choose to carry a photo copy instead of the actual card because its 6 months wait time for replacement card and 400$ for the card to be replaced.

The law is the law though you are ment to carry it with you at all times.

thanks for the advice

[Canadiandggal 49]

thanks for the advice

mine is always in with my passport in a separate area of my purse

[Flames9_RN 358]

One is legally suppose to, but I rarely did!! Of course I'm a white guy, can't hide that,lol so less of a chance of being hassled!

[Inky 1,111]

mine is always in with my passport in a separate area of my purse

I did the same thing with my GC, I keep it in another zippered part of my purse not in my wallet, and its a pocket that I don't often use so that i'm not going in it all the time with the chance of it falling out or being mixed with something else.

[Darnell 8,479]

i suggest you keep it and your passport in your important documents in the house or safe

and carry a copy of the green card on yer person.

When asked to show it - show the copy - ask them if they really need to see the actual card, then have the arresting officer bring you home, to get the card, on the way to the police station.

DO CARRY IT when you are leaving your county for more than a day, though - ya never know...

[Krikit 1,165]

I only carry mine with me when I travel. You have to show proof of residence to obtain a drivers license so that's my ID.

[thetreble 19]

I only carry mine with me when I travel. You have to show proof of residence to obtain a drivers license so that's my ID.

Yup, me too. I do not carry it on me during the day going to work and such. I lose my debit card like 10 times a year so you can only imagine the likelihood of me losing it.

I keep it with my passport and it goes with me when I travel. That's about it.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

I carry mine not because it's required but because I just like it. I feel uncomfortable when one of my cards is missing.

Edited June 25, 2011 by ~happyndinlove~

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The law is the law, and the law requires it to carry it with you "at all times" (although there is only one time that hasn't ended yet).

When I was still a foreigner, I carried my Green Card on a chain around my neck. That worked in the shower as well as I could wipe it dry.

When having sex with my wife, it was hanging right in front of their eyes while I was on top, working hard. A bit kinky, but the law is the law.

When going to the beach and into the water, I got some weird looks though. That made me realize that while the law is the law, the law is bullsh*t. Since I have never been asked about my immigration status in 19 years, let alone been asked to show my Green Card aside from the time when arriving at the airport from an international flight, I finally left it at home at the safest place I had access to.

But that's just me. I know a lot of people who carry their Green Card with them every day. I know them from this forum where they post when they lost it, and whine about the $450 it cost to replace it.

Well, the law is the law, that's all I can say.