Protecting your U.S. Permanent Residency

For many, the process of obtaining lawful permanent resident (“green card”) status can be a complex and challenging effort. Having a green card can provide certainty and peace of mind that you can live and work permanently in the United States. However, your permanent resident status can be revoked under certain scenarios. This below information covers potential acts that could cause you to lose your green card.

Acts That Could Make You Removable (Deportable)

Certain Arrests and Convictions

Committing certain crimes can have devastating consequences for permanent residents, including the loss of a green card and deportation. Drug offenses (including marijuana), domestic violence crimes, firearms offenses, and other crimes involving “moral turpitude” (a general term to describe acts that are morally reprehensible and intrinsically wrong) are a few examples of crimes that could make you deportable. It is critical that you speak with an attorney before admitting guilt to any crime and seek the advice of an immigration attorney to understand how an arrest will affect your immigration status before the criminal case is completed.

Failing to Remove Conditions on Permanent Residency

Certain noncitizens may receive a conditional green card that is valid for a period of two years. Failure to remove the conditions on a green card can result in the termination of conditional residency and possible deportation. It is important to monitor the expiration date of the conditional green card and follow the process for removing the conditions correctly.

Falsely Claiming to Be a U.S. Citizen

Noncitizens, including permanent residents, who claim to be U.S. citizens, whether in writing or not, are subject to removal from the United States. A false claim to U.S. citizenship is a serious violation of law and can have extreme and devastating immigration consequences. Waivers of this ground of removability are rarely, if ever, granted.

Lengthy Absences from the United States

Abandonment of Permanent Residence

Green card holders who remain outside of the United States for long periods of time risk a determination that they have abandoned their permanent resident status. In general, trips outside the United States for less than six months are permitted. A trip of six months to one year may trigger increased scrutiny at the border, and the permanent resident should have a reasonable explanation for the lengthy trip. Trips of one year or more will likely result in a determination that you have abandoned your permanent resident status unless you have obtained pre-approval for the extended absence through a document known as a re-entry permit.

Source/Credit: American Immigration Lawyers Association (2022).