Help!! What do I do?? Green card is expiring

[raphael2461 0]

So I came here on a k1 visa.in 2005 Married my husband within the 90 days. Adjusted status and continued to be married. We then separated in 2014. We are still married and my greencard is expiring soon. Can i reknew it if we are living separatly? Should I just let it expire and file for naturalization? Please help. I  have a full time job here and my husband and I are still on decent terms. 

[geowrian 22,337]

It sounds like you completed ROC in ~ 2008 so your 10 year card is now expiring. You can either file an I-90 to renew it (within 6 months of it expiring), or you can file for naturalization if you prefer. Your marriage history needs to be disclosed where requested but won't impact the renewal.

[raphael2461 0]

So i can still reknew it even thpugh we are separated, he had signed a form stating he wpuld provide for me for the next 10 yrs. That would now be up, but I dont need him to provide becuase I work full time anyways.  Is that not a condition still?

[little immigrant 801]

Yes you can renew although you live separated. He doesn't need to sign any affidavit of support anymore. 

[geowrian 22,337]

22 minutes ago, raphael2461 said:

So i can still reknew it even thpugh we are separated, he had signed a form stating he wpuld provide for me for the next 10 yrs. That would now be up, but I dont need him to provide becuase I work full time anyways.  Is that not a condition still?

Yes. Your marriage, or lack of one, has no bearing on anything with your immigration status after you finished ROC (and since you didn't naturalize under the 3 year rule).

 

For reference, the I-864 he signed is not limited to 10 years, but (among several conditions for termination) 40 qualifying quarters of work. This could take less than 10 years or could be forever, depending on the circumstances.

[raphael2461 0]

thank you!! Do i have to reknew this every year now or is it good for 10 yrs again? 

[geowrian 22,337]

28 minutes ago, raphael2461 said:

thank you!! Do i have to reknew this every year now or is it good for 10 yrs again? 

The new card will be valid for 10 years.

[raphael2461 0]

Do you know how long it takes to reknew it? Whathappens if my card expires before i get my new card? Will I get deported? Will i still be able to work?

[geowrian 22,337]

6 minutes ago, raphael2461 said:

Do you know how long it takes to reknew it? Whathappens if my card expires before i get my new card? Will I get deported? Will i still be able to work?

I'm not sure on current timelines, but I believe they are pretty lengthy (closer to a year).

 

A green card is not your permanent residency. It's only proof of your permanent residency. You won't be deported for an expired 10 year green card, and you can still work.

You can also schedule an Infopass appointment to get a stamp in your passport to act as a green card for 1 year.

 

For work, you can also use a driver's license (or state ID) + unrestricted Social Security card. The card can be obtained from the SSA if you don't already have one (restricted ones have text across them like ONLY VALID WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION).

[raphael2461 0]

MY social security card doesnt say that. Its a regular one just like my american coworkers. 

My green card just says permanent resident card on it. 

[geowrian 22,337]

13 minutes ago, raphael2461 said:

MY social security card doesnt say that. Its a regular one just like my american coworkers. 

My green card just says permanent resident card on it. 

Then you're fine to work with just that + a state ID or driver's license (or a number of other forms of ID).

 

You just need an actual green card for traveling abroad and returning, really. I still recommend getting it before it expires, but it won't be a big issue so long as you dono't leave the country.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Any particular reason you don't want to file for naturalization? At the very least, you'd save on the long run. One-time fee for filing vs paying every ten years to renew your GC. Also the restriction on travelling. Once you're a USC you don't have to worry about losing your LPR status due to breaks in residency.

[kzielu 1,149]

11 hours ago, raphael2461 said:

Do you know how long it takes to reknew it? Whathappens if my card expires before i get my new card? Will I get deported? Will i still be able to work?

Nothing happens. You do not loose your permanent resident status, just your card is expired. You can keep working.

[raphael2461 0]

2 hours ago, EM_Vandaveer said:

Any particular reason you don't want to file for naturalization? At the very least, you'd save on the long run. One-time fee for filing vs paying every ten years to renew your GC. Also the restriction on travelling. Once you're a USC you don't have to worry about losing your LPR status due to breaks in residency.

I didnt know if i could apply for naturalization with my greencard expiring so soon.  Also have no idea how long it takes to get citizenship. All i know is I cant lose my job over immigration.I cant afford to lose my job.  This president and his actions and talk about immigration is scaring me even though I have done everything legal and right. Having my greencard expiring so soon has me so stressed out. 

I just want to make sure I'm doing things right. 

[Unlockable 7,314]

12 minutes ago, raphael2461 said:

I didnt know if i could apply for naturalization with my greencard expiring so soon.  Also have no idea how long it takes to get citizenship. All i know is I cant lose my job over immigration.I cant afford to lose my job.  This president and his actions and talk about immigration is scaring me even though I have done everything legal and right. Having my greencard expiring so soon has me so stressed out. 

I just want to make sure I'm doing things right. 

As long as you have been law abiding no one, including the current president, can stop you from applying for citizenship. You have been a permanent resident for more than 5 years so you certainly qualify. And just like your green card renewal, you will still be allowed to work and stay in the US while the citizenship application is processed.

 

I advise you to look into applying for citizenship rather than renewing your green card. Then after citizenship, you won't have to worry about immigration issues anymore.

 

Take a look in the following links on what you would do if you wanted to apply for citizenship....

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_requirements

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_process

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_guide