do you really have to carry your green card everywhere?

[Lou Lou 1]

This has been discussed on BE in the past too....

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread....ying+green+card

[ilovecookies 0]

At least here in New York city they NEVER do. Otherwise, they would have to deport

5 million illegals who live here.

hehe...very true. i know of about 5, sadly!

[meauxna 15]

This has been discussed on BE in the past too....

lol, that's a good one. Not the one where the lawyer reminds everyone who doesn't carry to be sure and tick 'yes' for the 'did you commit a crime for which you were not arrested?' question. Oh wait, was that for Super Bowl bets? Can't remember now...

Get this. The DAH carried that card like religion, everywhere, for 3+ years.

Guess when he lost his wallet? Last week. Poor thing, I shouldn't laugh because he is so particular. And of course here in friendly Oregon, someone turned it in about 15 minutes later. Right after he cancelled all the bank cards, of course!

[missy_antha 0]

I asked this question to my other half who is a cop in California. (In response to the other person who said she had never lost her wallet ever, even living in London. I would say I live in London and for the last 15 years have lost it or had it stolen at least once a year in that time. I'm a bit unlucky I think!)

He said that the purpose of stopping drivers is not to fine or arrest them and if you get stopped for say a brake light not working, as long as you appear to them to be a law abiding citizen then they will send you on your way with a caution.

However he has never been told to ask for evidence of your right to be in the country and they would only ask for your drivers licence and therefore would never take anyone into custody for not carrying a Green Card as they wouldn't ask for it in the first place.

[meauxna 15]

as long as you appear to them to be a law abiding citizen then they will send you on your way with a caution.

Exactly.

What does that look like?

Also, that is a policy of his department. Some police departments are now being authorized to check immigration status.

And, there are random checkpoints near the borders (inside the US) staffed by CBP. they *can* ask for evidence of status.

[Caladan 19]

They're quite little cards that sit neatly in your wallet, aren't they? Sort of like a driver's license. You won't always be asked for it, but if you need to produce it, you need to produce it.

[missy_antha 0]

Yes at border contols, the guards there are able to ask you to produce proof of residence. but I think - I'm only saying think here okay - but it would be classed as a violation of your human rights if a normal Police Officer stopped you and asked to see proof that you are legally entitled to be in the USA.

This means that they can't stop every pickup with a lawn mower in the back and then if it's driven by a mexican ask them to prove there right to legally work in the USA.

Wouldn't really be right would it.

This is the case for California. I don't know about other States.

[Al Southner 0]

Guys,

Whatever the card mentions or require, leave the damn thing at home. My wife lost her card while we were flying from DC to NY on 2001. You know how long it took the ever competent USCIS to replace it? About 3 years, which was atrocious and wasted a whole lot of time for us. So, even now, she doesn't carry the card, because how many LPR have been asked by their local police officers to prove that they are here legally? If anyone can send me th statistic for the last couple of years, dinner at RUTH CHRIS steak house on ME. I tend to see local latinos (number prove that many latinos are here illegally, don't know or care) were we live doing landscaping work, but don't see them being stopped, and neither should they be, cause it will be racial profiling.

For example, my drivers license was issued though a non-immigrant visa, and each time I am stopped by a police officer, which is once every 3 years, not once has he asked to see my LPR or non-immigrant visa or US passport, because it has nothing to do with a state police. First of all, he is enforcing local traffic laws which have nothing to do with federal immigration laws. If anyone asks you for a LPR card, kindly write down his badge number and call his supervisor, because he/she is out of line and harassing you.

For all LPR's who carry their greencard, wait till it get lost and you will feel the squeeze and harassment of the incompetent USCIS in your rear-end. Make a copy, and leave it at home in a fire-proof safe, so goes your social card, memorize and leave home. Life will be enjoyable... :dance[/size]: [/font] [/size]

Edited October 27, 2006 by Al Southner

[beccaogingi 0]

I guess it depends. My son's father works for UPS and one of his coworkers was stopped from making a delivery because he was a Russian national and had left his green card at home. The place wouldn't open the bay doors without seeing the green card.

[Reba 2]

Charlotte, NC PD and other Police departments in North Carolina already are told to ask for proof of immigration status, and other departments are trying to pass laws that Police departments can enforce immigration laws.

Illegals in this state are scared to even call Police anymore for any reason because of this.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

The law states you are required to carry it on your person.... so why do you feel its ok to not comply???

Kezzie

[KarenCee 3]

The law states you are required to carry it on your person.... so why do you feel its ok to not comply???

Kezzie

Just what I would like to know! Joel plans on stashing it right behind his GA Driver's License. I guess I fail to see what the HUGE deal is. Sheesh.

[mawilson 2,133]

The law states you are required to carry it on your person.... so why do you feel its ok to not comply???

Kezzie

Because it's a bullshit law?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am reporting this thread to ICE. You all should be ashamed of yourselves!

[Peikko 1,575]

Is there any good reason why you can't carry a copy of the gc to go with other state ID, eg drivers licence?