carrying greencard everywhere?

[GJen 9]

Hey everyone

For those who are Greencard holders!.. do you really carry your greencard with you everywhere? I know it says you MUST carry it everywhere cuz its the law! but after checking how much it would cost me to replace one in case of lost im kind of doubting if I should carry it with me!..

[Sergi9 110]

Hey everyone

For those who are Greencard holders!.. do you really carry your greencard with you everywhere? I know it says you MUST carry it everywhere cuz its the law! but after checking how much it would cost me to replace one in case of lost im kind of doubting if I should carry it with me!..

In todays current climate you should carry it everywhere, especially if you live in Arizona, Ga, Cali, or anywhere within 150 miles of a US Border. Better safe than sorry. If you get pulled over for a routine traffic citation and run into a vigilante cop you could end up missing for a couple days without it, makes no sense to take the risk.

[Lars-N-Yenia 8]

you might want to check out this thread which might help you make a decision either way... http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/312019-must-she-carry-her-green-card-daily/

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

I look at it this way....not carrying it is against the law. Do you want one of the first things you do to be breaking the law??? Its up to you....but hubby carries his ALL the time.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

you might make a copy of it like we have to make of our passport when we travel so you have the information on it.

and get it laminated if is it not already done. protects it

[Messybrownhair 251]

I carry a colored photocopy with me all the time as advised by other VJ members. I'm too scared to carry it with me all the time.. Also, get a drivers license since that could also be used as a valid ID and would prove that you are resident of that state. I will take my test for it soon!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I carry a colored photocopy with me all the time as advised by other VJ members. I'm too scared to carry it with me all the time.. Also, get a drivers license since that could also be used as a valid ID and would prove that you are resident of that state. I will take my test for it soon!!

I'm with messy here. I will be (though I've been lazy about it) carrying a coloured photocopy. I don't currently carry anything except my Iowa drivers licence. It's ridiculous to risk it in my opinion, just like people who don't like carrying their passports around but technically you're supposed to as a visitor. Better to keep it locked up safe. If I'm too far away from it i would carry it (for instance if I went to Chicago - 3 hours away - I would probably take it but I would be nervous the entire time!).

[TBoneTX 45,289]

Here we go yet again... VJ members recommending breaking the law. Follow the law.

[baron555 934]

Hey everyone

For those who are Greencard holders!.. do you really carry your greencard with you everywhere? I know it says you MUST carry it everywhere cuz its the law! but after checking how much it would cost me to replace one in case of lost im kind of doubting if I should carry it with me!..

My wife never carries her GC. She has fer state driver's license and carries that; that is what is normally used as a form of ID.

Edited July 12, 2011 by baron555

[GDHB 3]

Here we go yet again... VJ members recommending breaking the law. Follow the law.

I agree completely.

Never EVER drive above the posted speed limit and never ever make a colour photocopy of your green card while the original is locked in a safe place.

I trust that this advice will receive the attention that it deserves.

[GJen 9]

Thanks everybody!

I know it is against the law but to be honest I dont think they will ever stop me for documentation around here .. in almost 1 year here in GA I havent been stopped... and I live in a small town so .. I hope it wont ever happen!... I think I will just carry my license...

to be honest I feel like there is a 1 % chance that they will stop me.. and a 99% chance I will lose my greencard lol.... and Im serious about that because after 2 days of having my NEW LICENSE.. I Lost it! lol.. but yeah.. anything thank you all for your help

[Messybrownhair 251]

Okay, I asked the same question two weeks ago and most people said not to keep it with you at all times. This was one of the responses I got:

"That's right, the law is the law, and don't you ever forget it!

Just one question: where does a Green Card holder carry his Green Card on him "at all times" when having sex, taking a shower, or going for a swim on the beach? If you can answer that to me, I will give you a thumbs up cookie!

If you want two cookies, however, you'll have to answer where a gay, yet law-abiding Green Card holder having sex with another man should carry his Green Card if he cannot assert it into any body cavity and also doesn't want his sex partner to know that he's a foreigner, meaning he cannot have it dangling on a chain around his neck?

If you can't answer that successfully (I can't), then you have proven that mindless obedience without switching on the brain, like it was the case during the Nazi regime, only gets people in trouble. It would consequently suggest to use common sense where common sense makes sense and leave the Green Card where it belongs: at the safest place at home."

LOL. I personally still won't be carrying it around unless I leave the state..

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

you might make a copy of it like we have to make of our passport when we travel so you have the information on it.

and get it laminated if is it not already done. protects it

Please don't give advise if you do not have personal experience or have at least researched the matter at hand. The greencard is already "laminated." The fact that you don't know tells me you have never seen one, and therefore have not been told the rules about it.

Furthermore, if it weren't "laminated," you are suggesting tampering with a federally issued document which is AGAINST THE LAW and would render the document invalid. For instance, if you laminate your Social Security Card, it is no longer valid.

And to the OP - My husband carries his with him all the time. You don't have a wallet? Best of luck!

And to Messybrownhair, you are supposed to carry it with you when you are not at home in your own property! Not when taking a shower, silly

Edited July 12, 2011 by Harpa Timsah

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Please don't give advise if you do not have personal experience or have at least researched the matter at hand. The greencard is already "laminated." The fact that you don't know tells me you have never seen one, and therefore have not been told the rules about it.

Furthermore, if it weren't "laminated," you are suggesting tampering with a federally issued document which is AGAINST THE LAW and would render the document invalid. For instance, if you laminate your Social Security Card, it is no longer valid.

And to the OP - My husband carries his with him all the time. You don't have a wallet? Best of luck!

And to Messybrownhair, you are supposed to carry it with you when you are not at home in your own property! Not when taking a shower, silly

Harpa... umm they weren't saying to laminate the actual card, but to laminate the colour photocopy that they carry.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Harpa... umm they weren't saying to laminate the actual card, but to laminate the colour photocopy that they carry.

Ahh, mea culpa then. I'm sorry