What can cause you to lose your green card?
Obtaining lawful permanent resident (“green card”) status can be a challenging and complex process. Although having a green card offers peace of mind that you can live and work permanently in the United States, certain circumstances can cause your permanent resident status to be revoked. Here are some situations that could cause you to lose your green card:
Acts That Could Make You Removable (Deportable)
- Certain Arrests and Convictions
If you commit certain crimes, it can cause you to lose your permanent resident status and result in deportation. These may include:
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- Drug offenses (including marijuana)
- Domestic violence
- Firearm offenses
- Crimes involving “moral turpitude” such as murder, voluntary manslaughter, felony hit and run, child abuse, kidnapping, or animal cruelty
It’s critical to speak with an experienced immigration attorney before admitting guilt to any crime. Your attorney can help you understand how the arrest will affect your immigration status before the end of the criminal case.
- Failing to Remove Conditions on Permanent Residency
Certain noncitizens may receive a conditional green card that’s valid for two years. If you fail to remove the conditions on a green card, it can cause the termination of conditional residency and possible deportation. For this reason, it’s important to monitor the expiration date of your conditional green card and complete the process for removing the conditions correctly.
- Falsely Claiming to Be a U.S. Citizen
Any noncitizen (including permanent residents) who falsely claims to be a U.S. citizen is subject to removal from the United States. This includes any type of claim, whether written or spoken. Falsely claiming U.S. citizenship is a serious violation of the law and waivers on this ground, if eligible, are rarely granted.
Lengthy Absences from the United States
- Abandonment of Permanent Residence
If you have a green card and remain out of the U.S. for long periods of time, you risk being seen as abandoning your permanent resident status. If your trip lasts over 180 days, you may receive more scrutiny at the border; you should have a reasonable explanation for the length of your trip in the event you are questioned at the border regarding your length of stay. Frequent trips outside of the United States could also be perceived as abandonment of permanent residence. If you take a trip that lasts one year or more, it will likely result in a determination that you’ve abandoned your permanent resident status, unless you’ve received pre-approval for the extended absence through a re-entry permit. However, an individual is entitled to a hearing determining whether or not their status has been abandoned.
contact ranchod law group for legal immigration services
If you believe that one or more of the above situation might apply to you, we encourage you to contact Ranchod Law Group at 916-613-3553 or email us at info@ranchodlaw.com.