Do you guys carry your green card at all times?

[mindthegap 2,606]

No, I don't carry the card day to day when at home.

Yes, I am aware that it is technically an offense not to do so (although it is not a felony, it is a misdemeanor and $100 fine). I also jay walk and commit several other offences multiple times daily.

 

 

There are many reasons why I personally choose not to (not encouraging breaking the law, etc etc)

My card has expired anyway, so doesn't show current status. Would make no difference if it was a 10yr card though, I still wouldn't carry day to day.

Even it was current, the replacement costs of losing it are at least 4x greater than the minuscule chance of a fine for not carrying.

My current stamp is in my passport, and no way in hell am I carrying one of my passports around with me day to day.

I don't carry a handbag, space in my card holder is at a premium, and I wear skinny jeans.

 

What I DO have, is have a clear scans of the front and back of my expired card, my current and prior stamps, my expired extension letter, my passports, birth certificate, marriage certificate etc - basically any important document - uploaded to two dropbox accounts, which are accessible via any device.

I also have a clear photo of my expired card front and back and my current valid stamp on my phones so could show anyone at any time if required, even with no data connection. 

Also, my license in my state has (incorrectly) 'temp visitor' on the front,  but next to it,  also has the expiry date of my current (valid) proof of status - this is separate from the license expiry date itself.

 

If I lived near a land border or a trump-heavy state I might perhaps think differently...but I don't.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2017 by mindthegap

[JusticeWarrior 3]

4 minutes ago, mindthegap said:

No, I don't carry the card day to day.

Yes, I am aware that it is technically an offense not to do so (although it is not a felony, it is a misdemeanor and $100 fine)

 

There are many reasons why I personally choose not to (not encouraging breaking the law, etc etc)

My card has expired anyway, so doesn't show current status. Would make no difference if it was a 10yr card though, I still wouldn't carry day to day.

Even it was current, the replacement costs of losing it are at least 4x greater than the minuscule chance of a fine for not carrying.

My current stamp is in my passport, and no way in hell am I carrying one of my passports around with me day to day.

I don't carry a handbag, space in my card holder is at a premium, and I wear skinny jeans.

 

What I DO have, is have a clear scans of the front and back of my expired card, my current and prior stamps, my expired extension letter, my passports, birth certificate, marriage certificate etc - basically any important document - uploaded to two dropbox accounts, which are accessible via any device.

I also have a clear photo of my expired card front and back and my current valid stamp on my phones so could show anyone at any time if required, even with no data connection. 

Also, my license in my state has (incorrectly) 'temp visitor' on the front,  but next to it,  also has the expiry date of my current (valid) proof of status - this is separate from the license expiry date itself.

 

If I lived near a land border or a trump-heavy state I might perhaps think differently...but I don't.

 

 

 

 

Here's the thing: even though I know the chances of a border patrol agent forcing you to show your legal status in the middle of the street are slim to none, I always go by the proverb "better safe than sorry". ICE officers might go on a random raid detaining anyone without proper documentations etc.. although this is highly unlikely, it's not fictional. You having access to your information digitally is great though, hopefully enough to satisfy Homeland Security's needs. 

 

I don't understand the whole "a photocopy of the back of the GC" thing though, doesn't the front of the card show enough? Just saying...

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

40 minutes ago, QueenOfBlades said:

With how much USCIS stress me out, I'd probably just let them do that if it made things any simpler 

baahahahahah! 

[mindthegap 2,606]

15 minutes ago, JusticeWarrior said:

Here's the thing: even though I know the chances of a border patrol agent forcing you to show your legal status in the middle of the street are slim to none, I always go by the proverb "better safe than sorry". 

Absolutely, which is why I carry the above to minimise the risk of any issue. Despite El-Trumpes efforts, we do not yet live in a country where encountering officials barking 'papers please!' is a daily occurrence.

 

 

15 minutes ago, JusticeWarrior said:

ICE officers might go on a random raid detaining anyone without proper documentations etc.. although this is highly unlikely, it's not fictional. 

Highly doubtful in this city! Again, my status is current, so it shouldn't be an issue. If it costs me $100, so be it. $100 is better than $450+, and the risk of someone mis-using a genuine card if they were to find it. Identity theft is a real problem.

 

15 minutes ago, JusticeWarrior said:

You having access to your information digitally is great though, hopefully enough to satisfy Homeland Security's needs. 

Even if you produce a valid physical card or proof of status they still have to verify it - whether at the border, or for example at the DMV or an employer, so just carrying the card by itself does not suffice. Therefore, carrying a digital copy - that would still have to be verified - amounts to the same thing.

 

15 minutes ago, JusticeWarrior said:

I don't understand the whole "a photocopy of the back of the GC" thing though, doesn't the front of the card show enough? Just saying...

Well,  as an example, for ROC, USCIS ask for a photocopy of the front and back of the card- which I never understood the point of either - so I figured it must serve some purpose. 

 

 

 

 

 

This all becomes a moo-point after naturalization anyway....another good reason to do so at the earliest opportunity

Edited May 12, 2017 by mindthegap

[Cathi 5,794]

It's the law.

[mindthegap 2,606]

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

1 hour ago, Lemonslice said:

I know I'm in the wrong, but reality is that's I only carry a photocopy. Consequences (and chances) of losing the card  are greater than being asked for the card and not having it on me.   

Hmm, I would think the chances you state are reversed. I've lost my wallet once, 30 years ago (left my wallet in my shorts as I went for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean), and I have never been mugged. Granted, I consider myself lucky.  But compare those odds with how many times I've been stopped by the authorities in 30 years, several times, mostly for traffic violations. If it were my wife who got stopped, who carries her green card, her thick accent and dark skin could cause a police officer to ask for her green card. It's just a lot easier to get out of such a situation quickly if you have the correct identification. It might not be fair for non-ICE officers to request a green card but how fair do you feel American law enforcement to be, in general.

 

Think of it this way. If having to have to explain why you don't have the real green card on you results in having to sit in a police car for an extra hour and then him/her writing you a ticket for speeding, while he might have let you go with a caution otherwise, then it'll have been darn well worth it. Balance that against losing your ID once every couple of decades.

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

I know a Canadian who has lived and worked in the US for 30 years and chooses not to naturalize. He carries his green card with him everyday, everywhere. He'll pull it out and show you anytime.

 

I think our experience with the various USCIS applications that we're forced to endure, including months of delays and waiting and many submissions of fees and extra evidence, puts us in a sort of state of shock. We experience a sort of stockholm syndrome where if we encounter even a tiny possibility of losing a green card, we choose to break the law in order to avoid yet another long application process (and fees!) associated with getting a replacement card.

 

People like my friend don't have this stockholm syndrome. They know the law, they abide by the law. If the worst happens and they lose their card, then they're willing to endure the replacement card process.

[Lemonslice 4,968]

26 minutes ago, Russ&Caro said:

Hmm, I would think the chances you state are reversed. I've lost my wallet once, 30 years ago (left my wallet in my shorts as I went for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean), and I have never been mugged. Granted, I consider myself lucky.  But compare those odds with how many times I've been stopped by the authorities in 30 years, several times, mostly for traffic violations. If it were my wife who got stopped, who carries her green card, her thick accent and dark skin could cause a police officer to ask for her green card. It's just a lot easier to get out of such a situation quickly if you have the correct identification. It might not be fair for non-ICE officers to request a green card but how fair do you feel American law enforcement to be, in general.

 

Think of it this way. If having to have to explain why you don't have the real green card on you results in having to sit in a police car for an extra hour and then him/her writing you a ticket for speeding, while he might have let you go with a caution otherwise, then it'll have been darn well worth it. Balance that against losing your ID once every couple of decades.

I've never been stopped by authorities. I've lost my wallet multiples times. Anyway, moot point soon, retiring to better skies. Living in a state where police does not ask about immigration status for traffic violations, maybe that's why I was/am not worried at all. 

[zilchfox 296]

By law, if you're over 18 you must carry your card or have it nearby within minutes at all times — being caught without it can have consequences.

[Ischnura 285]

Gosh, my luck would have it that if I didn't I'd be stopped and asked. Two cop cars pulled in to our street yesterday - fairly common, Sheriff lives over the road - and I had my dogs out but they pulled up in front of our place and I thought the worst lol *Not a criminal but still think 'just in case'*

[mindthegap 2,606]

6 minutes ago, Ischnura said:

Two cop cars pulled in to our street yesterday - fairly common, Sheriff lives over the road - and I had my dogs out but they pulled up in front of our place and I thought the worst lol *Not a criminal but still think 'just in case'*

Perfectly normal....for those of us originally from t'other side of the pond anyway

 

 

Edited May 12, 2017 by mindthegap

[Ischnura 285]

3 minutes ago, mindthegap said:

 

 

 

 hahaha love it. 

[Lacosta 40]

Its not required, you can use your state ID. when i was LPR i just carry my GC when I travel outside of USA

[Lacosta 40]

I was LPR for 5 years before to become US Citizen