carrying green card all the time

[Umka36 781]

I'm not condoning not carrying your GC, but it's one of those life choices you have to make. My wife only carries her State ID, but not GC. It's a risk she takes, but we live in an area that has low risk of checking your immigration status. Yes, it could ruin both our days if they check, but I know my wife has legal status and can always provide the GC in court if it comes to that. I guess it just how much of a risk you are willing to take. This just happens to be low on our priority list. Honestly, I am more worried about people disregarding the law against texting and driving because that will not only ruin their day, but everyone around them.

[charmander 692]

There are laws and there are norms. It's the law that you are required to carry your GC all the time and it's the norm that nobody will ask for it as long as you provide the other forms of identification like Driver License or State ID. How many of us have been asked to show GC while travelling in the US?

The need of carrying a Drivers License (and not its photocopy) while driving is comparable to the need of carrying a GC while crossing the Border.

There are a few airports though the CBP agents are present and check for immigration paperwork when they see the Driver's license has the red "Temporary Visitor" on it. Like this one in New York: http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/kgiba2005/imgs/4/e/4e208741.jpg So even if you are traveling within the US while you are a temporary visitor, better to carry the passport and visa with you.

[almost_umrican 53]

So I received this letter and it indicates that I should carry my green card with me at all times IT IS THE LAW.

My husband had his green card for 5 years before he became citizen and he never had it with him.

If you have a drivers license is it still necessary to carry your gc?

What's the worst hing that could happen?

Any experiences?

You are right but at the same time this needs to be amended.i do not carry it all the time and i bet the majority out there do the same. what is the point of carrying it when the law restrict the law enforcers to ask someone about their immigration status. i am aware of the one infamous sheriff down south who was famous for stopping the latinos and ask them about their legal status. not sure if he was doing per state law. he had a big fan following. but in any case, if this was the case. that state law needed to be amended as well. this is against the essence of this country.

[Caryh 5,206]

You are right but at the same time this needs to be amended.i do not carry it all the time and i bet the majority out there do the same. what is the point of carrying it when the law restrict the law enforcers to ask someone about their immigration status. i am aware of the one infamous sheriff down south who was famous for stopping the latinos and ask them about their legal status. not sure if he was doing per state law. he had a big fan following. but in any case, if this was the case. that state law needed to be amended as well. this is against the essence of this country.

The supreme court struck down their laws because enforcing immigration is a federal responsibility and not under control of states.

My wife has been here 5 years now, she's needed her green card when we traveled out of country, to prove her status with employers, and when she did biometrics appointments.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Caryh

[Limey 551]

I carry my drivers license pretty much everywhere. In North Carolina your drivers license is linked to your immigration status (they will only issue with an expiry on your current visa, so I will have to renew when my GC needs renewing). From what I've seen on other forums, you'll almost certainly never be asked for it (but I guess unfortunately it may be more likely depending where you are from - some reported there being road blocks within Texas and other border states where immigration status would be checked). Personally I keep it at home while in town, but take it with me if travelling long distance, or flying internally. Obviously its required if you leave the country.

On other forums I read, the worst that happens if you do get stopped and asked for it is that you are taken into custody until they can confirm your immigration status, usually an hour or two.

[rutabaga 209]

They could detain a US citizen for the same purpose. Who carries their birth/naturalization certificate or passport with themselves at all times? Recent statistics show only 36% of Americans own a passport. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/statistics.html . So for the remaining 64% of the population the only proof of citizenship is the birth or naturalization certificate.

The difference is that the citizens are not required to carry proof of citizenship and LPRs are required to carry proof of LPR status which is why they're also more likely to be detained in that situation until their immigration status is verified if they don't carry proof of it.

[rutabaga 209]

On other forums I read, the worst that happens if you do get stopped and asked for it is that you are taken into custody until they can confirm your immigration status, usually an hour or two.

And my only point here is to consider whether the possibility, however small, of losing several hours of your life over this is worth it or not.That is, sitting down and determining what is more likely (losing the GC vs. being detained for not having it on you until your status is verified) and what is more expensive (paying for a replacement GS vs losing two hours of your life).

Edited April 29, 2016 by rutabaga

[charmander 692]

The difference is that the citizens are not required to carry proof of citizenship and LPRs are required to carry proof of LPR status which is why they're also more likely to be detained in that situation until their immigration status is verified if they don't carry proof of it.

I know but what if the CBP doesn't believe the person who claim himself as citizen? Say you are an American Citizen traveling from Honolulu, HI to New York. Your passport/birth/naturalization certificate is home in New York. CBP asks for a proof of citizenship, and you don't have it, the documents are 5000 miles away, you don't have anybody home to fax you a copy either. They may very well decide to detain you at the airport, ruin your day, and travel plans.

[Caryh 5,206]

The difference is that the citizens are not required to carry proof of citizenship and LPRs are required to carry proof of LPR status which is why they're also more likely to be detained in that situation until their immigration status is verified if they don't carry proof of it.

Green card holders are only required to show it to Federal Authorities. State, County and Municipal Authorities have no legal authority to enforce immigration laws. This has been upheld by the supreme court every time some local government passes a law to take over federal control of immigration laws.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Caryh

[Caryh 5,206]

And my only point here is to consider whether the possibility, however small, of losing several hours of your life over this is worth it or not.That is, sitting down and determining what is more likely (losing the GC vs. being detained for not having it on you until your status is verified) and what is more expensive (paying for a replacement GS vs losing two hours of your life).

So when they have citizenship, they are suddenly not just as likely to be detained by federal authorities to verify they are citizens? And unless you're making over $225 per hour, yes losing your green card is a lot more expensive than a two hour check. Because it costs $450 to replace a lost or stolen green card.

[almost_umrican 53]

The supreme court struck down their laws because enforcing immigration is a federal responsibility and not under control of states.

My wife has been here 5 years now, she's needed her green card when we traveled out of country, to prove her status with employers, and when she did biometrics appointments.

yes, you are right. i meant i did not carry mine on day to day basis. btw the common public or natural born US citizen which i assume you are do not have a lot of knowledge about INA but you do. good job.

[Caryh 5,206]

yes, you are right. i meant i did not carry mine on day to day basis. btw the common public or natural born US citizen which i assume you are do not have a lot of knowledge about INA but you do. good job.

I got involved with my wife about 9 years before she came to the USA. I knew right away I'd need to educate myself on immigration issues and did so. I've also kept up on all the changes over the years too.

This whole issue of carrying the green card has been coming up every since the law was passed by congress in a misguided attempt to do something about illegal immigration. The INS (the former name of USCIS and ICE) quickly learned enforcing the law was not an effective way of battling illegal immigration and quickly decided not to prosecute anyone for it.

[TBoneTX 45,284]

Thread is locked for suggesting/advocating multiple ways of law-breaking.

This issue is not to be reopened or referred to elsewhere.

TBoneTX

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