Sweeping immigration enforcement efforts have affected green card holders traveling abroad. Instances of green card holders being stopped, questioned, and even detained or denied entry at U.S. ports of entry after traveling abroad. Given the increasingly strict, fluctuating state of immigration policy, green card holders need the knowledge to plan accordingly.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), green card holders are allowed to live and work in the United States, receive Social Security, Medicare and college financial aid, and serve in the military. They can apply for citizenship after residing in the U.S. for five years. The DHS estimates there were 12.8 million green card holders living in the U.S. at the start of 2024.
Green card holders who commit any crime, regardless of its nature, can be denied reentry or removed from the United States. Until recently, the government usually only targeted individuals who committed serious offenses. Now, individuals with minor or even no criminal history have experienced difficulties trying to reenter the country. Green card holders can also spend up to 365 days in a row outside of the country, but individuals who’ve been abroad for shorter periods report being pressured to give up their status by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon their return.
Green card holders looking to travel abroad for longer than six months should apply for a re-entry permit, which allows them to return after spending up to years after the country. It serves as proof that the green card holder doesn’t intend to abandon their legal status. If the permit doesn’t arrive before departure, individuals should have the receipt for the permit with them instead. Green card holders are also recommended to apply for Global Entry, CBP program that expedites the clearance process when entering the country.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.
