Each year, thousands of foreign nationals earn the privilege to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis. These individuals are sometimes known as green card holders. However, it is important to understand that there is absolutely nothing “permanent” about permanent residency status.
Certain actions can lead to the revocation of your green card. If this happens, you may be removed from the country and barred from stepping foot on U.S. soil ever again. Here are three grounds upon which you can lose your permanent residency status.
If you live outside the U.S. for an extended time
As a green card holder, you can leave and reenter the U.S. multiple times. However, you cannot continuously stay outside the country for more than one year. Doing so would give the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency reason to presume that you are considering abandoning your residency privilege.
Voluntary surrender
Sometimes, you may abandon your green card and leave the country voluntarily. For this, you will need to fill and submit a Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status (commonly known as Form I – 407). One of the most common reasons why people sign this form is to avoid paying taxes.
Fraud or willful misrepresentation
If you give falsified information with the goal obtaining of any form of immigration benefits, you will be deemed to have committed immigration fraud. And if you are found out, your green card will be revoked immediately. An example of this would be marrying a U.S. national with the sole goal of obtaining permanent residency status.
If you have worked hard to earn the privilege to live and work in the U.S., you need to do everything in your power to protect this status. Find out how you can protect your rights when facing possible removal from the country.