Carrying your green card

[rwj 0]

So I believe us "resident aliens" are technically supposed to carry the greencard with us everywhere. I have been carrying mine, but i'm a little concerned it could be a hassle to replace if my wallet got stolen, not to mention the identity theft risk. I have LPR friends who keep their greencards at home with their passports. So I was just wondering what other VJers are doing?

[mawilson 2,133]

Where's the option for "never"?

[Kez/JWolf 6]

This topic has been covered in great depth here on VJ...... it is not an option of should you carry it on your person... it is the law..

Permanent Resident Card

The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is issued to all Permanent Residents as evidence of alien registration and their permanent status in the US. The card must be in your possession at all times. This requirement means that you are not only required to have a currently valid Form I-551 at all times, but also that you must carry your currently valid Form I-551 on your person at all times.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Kez

[Marilyn. 340]

you might want to check out this poll...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;hl=green+card

[Cassie 8]

With the exception of going up the street to the Quik Trip for a midnight ice cream run, my PR card goes with me everywhere.

[KarenCee 3]

As Kez has said...this issue has been brought up many times and IMHO it's like beating a dead horse. The law says carry it. If you are stopped by the authorities and do not have it on you, there is the distinct possibility that you are in deep doo doo. My husband carries his. He doesn't want to risk being without it and besides, the long process to obtain it only to leave it at home is rather nuts. IMHO.

[rwj 0]

Where's the option for "never"?

Never is clearly not an option for an LPR, unless you don't leave the country and never go to another USCIS appointment which, an an LPR, would eventually lead to you losing your legal status.

As Kez has said...this issue has been brought up many times and IMHO it's like beating a dead horse....

Sorry, not everyone reads every previous VJ thread before posting.

Edited August 8, 2007 by rwj

[mawilson 2,133]

Where's the option for "never"?

Never is clearly not an option for an LPR, unless you don't leave the country and never go to another USCIS appointment which, an an LPR, would eventually lead to you losing your legal status.

Why would it lead to your losing your legal status? Your status doesn't expire, unlike the green card.

(Unless it's a conditional green card, but there's no appointment to go to to remove conditions.)

Seriously, I haven't used my green card once since I got it. I used my driver's licence for biometrics.

[Caladan 19]

It's a misdemeanor not to carry it. It's debatable how often this is enforced.

C. will probably have his at hand but not on his person once he gets it. When you're working on a rig drilling holes in the ground there isn't a lot of room for a wallet, but the wallet will be in the truck. I don't think it's much more of a risk, identity-theft wise, than carrying his driver's license, EAD, passport and bank cards.

[Aymerlu 3]

My hubby ALWAYS carries it.

[KarenCee 3]

As Kez has said...this issue has been brought up many times and IMHO it's like beating a dead horse....

Sorry, not everyone reads every previous VJ thread before posting.

That is why there's a search function...to check on subjects like this.

[no name 1]

As Kez has said...this issue has been brought up many times and IMHO it's like beating a dead horse....

Sorry, not everyone reads every previous VJ thread before posting.

That is why there's a search function...to check on subjects like this.

[John & Annie 0]

Where's the option for "never"?

Never is clearly not an option for an LPR, unless you don't leave the country and never go to another USCIS appointment which, an an LPR, would eventually lead to you losing your legal status.

Why would it lead to your losing your legal status? Your status doesn't expire, unlike the green card.

(Unless it's a conditional green card, but there's no appointment to go to to remove conditions.)

Seriously, I haven't used my green card once since I got it. I used my driver's licence for biometrics.

That would be very far fetched, but yes you could even though it is a lesser crime. You are here on a conditional basis until you become a citizen, if you become a citizen. One of those conditions is that you carry your card.

[de_sjiem 0]

I always carry it with me... we were told at the Adjustment interview that I had to carry it at all times and that it was a $500 fine if I didn't... So I do...

[foxtobee 1]

When I received it it had a letter stating I need to carry it with me at all times.