Consequences of not carrying a Green Card in the United States

The Green Card, in addition to being a document that allows you to reside permanently in the United States, functions as an identification document, which is of vital importance for migrants. In this regard, there are some aspects that should be known so that it does not become a problem.

It is mandatory to carry the card wherever a person goes or else he or she will be penalized under U.S. law. The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act establishes that if a foreign citizen fails to comply with this requirement, he or she may face a fine of $100 or up to 30 days in prison.

If the authorities request the card, the citizen must show it, since it contains the personal details of the person, such as the name and surname of the holder, photograph, permanent resident number, date of birth and country of birth. It also shows the date of issue of the document and its expiration date.

If you travel outside the city, you must carry this document and in the event that it is lost, you must request a replacement urgently to comply with legal obligations and avoid situations with the country's immigration authorities. It is advisable to make a backup copy precisely so that, in these cases of loss, you can validate your immigration status.

However, the fine imposed by immigration authorities is not automatic; certain circumstances may be considered at the discretion of the officers, whether due to the recent loss of the document or due to unconscious forgetfulness of the person. The document is valid for 10 years and in cases of loss, as indicated, an I-90 form must be submitted to USCIS for its replacement. The cost of the form is usually $455 dollars and the results of the biometric services are attached if applicable, which have a value of $85.

The card does not need to be updated if the person moves out of state, however, they must inform USCIS of the change of address. The green card offers a number of benefits, including the ability to work and live in the U.S., the ability to sponsor relatives to obtain their own green card, and eligibility for U.S. citizenship after a certain period of residency.