Carrying green card on you?

[Azzudiin 26]

I received my GC a couple of days ago, have made copies and will be carrying it at all times.

This whole immigration journey has been geared toward this little piece of plastic...and there is no way I am not having something to show for it if I am required to present it!

Actually for most on this forum this whole immigration journey has been geared towards another person they want to spend the rest of their life with. The GC is just one of the many bumps in that road.

[JERIII 8]

I received my GC a couple of days ago, have made copies and will be carrying it at all times.

This whole immigration journey has been geared toward this little piece of plastic...and there is no way I am not having something to show for it if I am required to present it!

Actually for most on this forum this whole immigration journey has been geared towards another person they want to spend the rest of their life with. The GC is just one of the many bumps in that road.

Also, remember that it costs about $300 to replace it if you lose it.

[HeatDeath 430]

I dont carry my GC with me.

Just curious, aside from exiting and entering the US.. what other instances will I be asked for my GC?

You're in southern California? Customs and Border Protection can and have set up inland border check points pretty much anywhere in southern California (and anywhere else within 100 miles of Mexico or the ocean). If you hit one of these, they just stop everyone and ask for proof of citizenship/residence and do a drug search.

These checkpoints have the same staff, the same officers, and that same procedures as if you were rolling in from Mexico. And if they catch you without your green card, it's not good news.

Thanks for the quick reply. Maybe now i'll consider taking my GC with me or I could tell them I am a US citizen.

snip

Shyeahhh... don't ever do that.

[rebeccajo 14]

I dont carry my GC with me.

Just curious, aside from exiting and entering the US.. what other instances will I be asked for my GC?

You're in southern California? Customs and Border Protection can and have set up inland border check points pretty much anywhere in southern California (and anywhere else within 100 miles of Mexico or the ocean). If you hit one of these, they just stop everyone and ask for proof of citizenship/residence and do a drug search.

These checkpoints have the same staff, the same officers, and that same procedures as if you were rolling in from Mexico. And if they catch you without your green card, it's not good news.

Thanks for the quick reply. Maybe now i'll consider taking my GC with me or I could tell them I am a US citizen.

snip

Shyeahhh... don't ever do that.

Aliens who profess US citizenship to a US Customs and Border Agent are subject to a bar for life.

And it's the word of the agent against the alien. There does not have to be physical proof or witnesses.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

I received my GC a couple of days ago, have made copies and will be carrying it at all times.

This whole immigration journey has been geared toward this little piece of plastic...and there is no way I am not having something to show for it if I am required to present it!

Actually for most on this forum this whole immigration journey has been geared towards another person they want to spend the rest of their life with. The GC is just one of the many bumps in that road.

Excuse me, but i am well aware of why I took my immigration journey and am incredibly happy to be with my husband, however I understand the importance of having a legal presence (and presentable proof of this when necessary) in this country. The GC is important to me, because it means that for at least two years I dont have to fear being separated from my husband.

Your insinuation is NOT welcome at all. Take it up with me in a PM next time you feel that your sarcastic point of view on my immigration intentions should be aired public. Dont point score with me buddy.

I received my GC a couple of days ago, have made copies and will be carrying it at all times.

This whole immigration journey has been geared toward this little piece of plastic...and there is no way I am not having something to show for it if I am required to present it!

Actually for most on this forum this whole immigration journey has been geared towards another person they want to spend the rest of their life with. The GC is just one of the many bumps in that road.

Also, remember that it costs about $300 to replace it if you lose it.

I dont care about the cost of replacing it. If it is a requirement for me to carry it...I always will. If someone "official" tells me otherwise, I will consider only carrying a copy with me.

[GuardianOne 0]

It is very rare to show your GC for any occasion since DL or state ID proves your identity, but it is still better to carry it with you.

If you live more than 100 miles away from a land or sea border [outside the area where CBP/ICE can legally set up "in-land border checkpoints], and especially if you live in a "sanctuary city" [cities where local law enforcement have been instructed to not cooperate particularly with federal immigration authorities. Wikipedia it.] the odds of you ever needing to show it are admittedly very low.

That being said, the law does require you to carry it, and there is a significant fine associated if you cannot produce it. And if you happen to live in the aforementioned so-called "Constitution-free zone" [Google it.] you absolutely MUST carry it. Not to do so will make your life miserable for no good reason.

I live in this area and never even heard of these. Maybe because I'm on the north border, not the south.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I would not give the card to the embassy. I would use the notarized copy and maybe attach a note saying legally you can not be separated from the greencard while in the USA.

[htslogistics-john 1]

if you live in southern cali there is checkpoints set up 24/7 on north five at the power plant and north 15 at rainbow so down here there's mo way around it.

[visacheck 3]

if you live in southern cali there is checkpoints set up 24/7 on north five at the power plant and north 15 at rainbow so down here there's mo way around it.

-

Edited October 28, 2009 by visacheck

[lucyrich 19]

If you want to see the law that requires you to carry your green card, it's INA 264(e)

(d) Every alien in the United States who has been registered and fingerprinted under the provisions of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, or under the provisions of this Act shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations issued by the Attorney General.

(e) Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

I haven't heard of this law being enforced very strictly. But it IS the law and it IS on the books.

That's one of the great benefits to applying for US Citizenship once you're eligible. When you become a citizen, you don't have to carry any documents with you.

Also note that, as already stated, if you falsely claim US Citizenship at any time, you're immediately deportable and permanently barred from re-entering the US, So if you're ever caught without your green card, do NOT try claiming US citizenship.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I dont care about the cost of replacing it. If it is a requirement for me to carry it...I always will. If someone "official" tells me otherwise, I will consider only carrying a copy with me.

FINALLY someone with sense. to you sister.

The law is clear. Carry the damn thing or risk losing your status if the ####### hits the fan for whichever reason.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey, all!

Do you have to carry the green card on you all the time after you get it?

Thanks,

mimino

Yes, keep it with you always. Keep it with your drivers lisence, credit cards, etc.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey, all!

Do you have to carry the green card on you all the time after you get it?

Thanks,

mimino

It is required by law but in my almost 4 years of green card,I have never ever carried it on me,nor have I ever been asked to show one.

Doesn't matter. Alla has even been stopped by police for driving infractions (hey she is just learning and why do you have to stay beyween the lines anyway?)and offered her green card and they didn't even look at it, doesn't matter, you are supposed to carry it with you

[freetv 7]

The reality is before 9/11 having to carry your green card was never an issue, if you didn't have it on you the chance of you facing any kind of trouble was unheard of. Now in the post 9/11 world the chance of you being asked are not only higher but the chance of you getting in serious trouble for not having it are also greater. If you live in Cali, Florida, Texas, ect I think you would have to be crazy to not carry it because I know how the police are there... insane, and total morons (and I come from a long line of police officers). In the mid west your far less likely to run into trouble but even then who knows?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Do you know how much it will cost when you lose your GC, together with your wallet, your driver license, and all of your credit cards?

My GC is where my passport, my valuables, and my gun are: in the safe at home.

But since the law requires to keep it on you at all times, I wonder where you law-abiding people keep it during sex, in the sauna, or in the shower. The only place i can think of is very dark and I won't slide it in there, no way!

Hence, since many people use common sense anyway, I keep it in the safe. Always. Except, when I'm traveling outside the country, that is.