Becoming a lawful permanent resident (often called a “green card holder”) is a significant milestone. It gives you the right to live and work permanently in the United States and serves as a pathway to U.S. citizenship for many immigrants. However, permanent resident status comes with important responsibilities. Failing to meet these obligations could place your status at risk.
Below are some of the key responsibilities every U.S. permanent resident should understand. Perhaps the most important requirement is that you intend to make the United States your permanent home. A green card is not simply a travel document that allows you to enter the country whenever you choose. It reflects your commitment to reside in the United States on a permanent basis.
USCIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may look at factors such as where you live, where you work, where your family resides, where you pay taxes and whether you maintain a home in the United States when determining whether you have abandoned your permanent residence.
Permanent residents may travel internationally, but lengthy absences can create problems.
Trips lasting less than six months generally do not raise significant concerns. However, absences of more than six months may lead immigration officers to question whether you intended to abandon your U.S. residence. Trips lasting one year or longer may automatically invalidate your green card for reentry unless you obtained a Reentry Permit before leaving the United States. If you anticipate being outside the United States for an extended period, speak with an experienced immigration attorney before departing.
Permanent residents are generally required to file U.S. federal income tax returns as U.S. residents, even if they earn income abroad.
Claiming to be a “nonresident” for tax purposes or failing to file required tax returns can be viewed as evidence that you have abandoned your permanent resident status. Keeping accurate tax records is an important part of maintaining your lawful status.
Green card holders are expected to follow all U.S. laws. Certain criminal convictions, including crimes involving fraud, domestic violence, drug offenses or aggravated felonies, may result in removal (deportation) proceedings or make a person ineligible for U.S. citizenship. Even relatively minor criminal charges can have serious immigration consequences. Before pleading guilty to any criminal offense, permanent residents should consult with both a criminal defense attorney and an immigration attorney.
Federal law requires lawful permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older to carry evidence of their immigration status. In most cases, this means carrying a valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a green card. If your green card is expired or will expire soon, you should renew it promptly. Although permanent resident status itself generally does not expire, the physical card does, and it should remain current.
If you move, you must notify USCIS of your new address within 10 days of relocating. This requirement applies to nearly all non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents. The address update can generally be completed online through your USCIS account or by filing Form AR-11.
Most male permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. Failure to register when required may affect future eligibility for certain federal benefits and could create issues during the naturalization process.
Permanent residence allows you to live indefinitely in the United States, but it is not the same as citizenship. Many green card holders become eligible to apply for naturalization after five years of permanent residence, or after three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen, provided all eligibility requirements are met.
Becoming a U.S. citizen offers additional benefits, including the right to vote, greater protection from removal, eligibility for a U.S. passport and the ability to sponsor additional family members for immigration.
A green card is a valuable privilege, but it carries ongoing responsibilities. Living primarily in the United States, filing taxes, obeying the law, maintaining current documentation and avoiding actions that suggest you have abandoned your residence are all essential to protecting your status.
If you are planning extended international travel, have been arrested or are unsure whether a particular action could affect your permanent resident status, seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney before proceeding. Taking proactive steps today can help ensure you continue to enjoy the benefits of lawful permanent residence and remain on the path toward U.S. citizenship.
Barbara Wong-Wilson is an attorney at Mission Law & Advocacy, P.C. and SW Law Group P.C. If you have any questions on U.S. immigration matters, please feel free to reach out to wo**@*********ws.com or wo**@****pc.com.
