Traveling with a Greencard

[Germanimmigrant 12]

As many here have pointed out, the only document that guarantees admission to the U.S. is an American passport. However, having traveled with my greencard and my German passport, I've always been admitted quickly upon return to the U.S. Never been critically examined and always been treated with respect. But then, I have nothing to hide and have always answered truthfully when asked something.

Have you ever heard or encountered, though, that someone with a (valid) greencard has not been admitted to the U.S. for whatever reason, small or big? If so, what were the reasons and what made him or her inadmissible? Or is such a case almost unheard of?

Do you feel safe with your greencard, i.e. are you confident that you will be admitted or are you nervous upon entering that a grumpy immigration officer might just give you a hard time?

[krautlaus 7]

As many here have pointed out, the only document that guarantees admission to the U.S. is an American passport. However, having traveled with my greencard and my German passport, I've always been admitted quickly upon return to the U.S. Never been critically examined and always been treated with respect. But then, I have nothing to hide and have always answered truthfully when asked something.

Have you ever heard or encountered, though, that someone with a (valid) greencard has not been admitted to the U.S. for whatever reason, small or big? If so, what were the reasons and what made him or her inadmissible? Or is such a case almost unheard of?

Do you feel safe with your greencard, i.e. are you confident that you will be admitted or are you nervous upon entering that a grumpy immigration officer might just give you a hard time?

Hi, I personally get antsy when it comes to facing immigrations - I have traveled with my green card in the past year and of course, as luck would have it, I was pulled out of the line with a big red card again (just like in 2009 when they sent me straight back home) - I was asked a bunch of questions, was stared at and had to wait about 45 until I could continue my travels. I don't know what their problem is but they seem to have it in for me - It just makes my travels so unenjoyable!

As far as I have read and heard, they only question your resident status when you travel for a longer period of time (even under 1 year) and are supposedly not making the US your permanent home and showing insufficient ties to the U.S. (by not being employed in US, no US bank account, not filing taxes, etc.) - in the end it is up to each individual IO (and their supervisors) to determine whether or not you might have abandoned your permanent resident status - generally though, if a GC is not just a long-term visa for someone, they need not fear refused entry/stripped of your permanent resident status.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I suppose if you had some sort of warrent you could get picked up and held.

[JoannaV 174]

They can give you a hard time if they suspect you might be using your green card as if it were a visitor visa; ie if you spend too much time out of the US and so appear to be living abroad. Last time I entered the US I had no problems at all, but did have to wait in line for a long time because lots of the people in front of me were questioned for a long time (and some sent to secondary). It did appear that one reason I was not questioned so much was because I was British :-/

[krautlaus 7]

I suppose if you had some sort of warrent you could get picked up and held.

What do you mean by that? What warrant?

[TBoneTX 45,284]

What do you mean by that? What warrant?

Any kind of law-enforcement warrant, such as failure to appear in court; unpaid traffic tickets; anything. Be sure that your record is clean in your U.S. hometown and state.

[visapetition 2]

(just like in 2009 when they sent me straight back home)

Did they tell you on what grounds they did it? (are they even required to?)

[krautlaus 7]

Did they tell you on what grounds they did it? (are they even required to?)

I don't know if they're required - I would hope so but it seems as a non-USCitizen or Permanent Resident you have hardly any rights

It basically came down to me just having finished school, work and having insufficient funds (in their eyes) to keep myself over water for the 90 days. Also it seemed like 89 days was too long for them - which pizzes me off because they set a 90 day limit for a reason!

Anyway, insufficient ties to home and suspected engagement to my then bf is what made 'em do it I suppose.