If the authorities take away your green card, you lose your legal right to live and work in the United States as a permanent resident. Federal organizations, such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have the authority to revoke your green card. However, they cannot do so without reason.
What allows authorities to revoke your green card?
Authorities may take away your green card if you are guilty of specific crimes that breach societal standards, especially those that victimize other people. In New Jersey, this can happen regardless of how long you have lived in the United States. Typically, federal authorities can revoke your green card if you:
- Obtain a green card through fraudulent means, such as misrepresentation
- Vote despite not being a U.S. citizen
- Commit serious crimes such as theft, assault and murder
- Use or distribute illegal substances like drugs
- Fail to notify the USCIS whenever you move and change addresses
- Leave the country for more than one year
It is also worth mentioning that the USCIS has the right to revoke your green card if it suspects you of having affiliations with groups known to be hostile to the U.S., such as terrorist organizations. Similarly, if the USCIS suspects you are a spy gathering intelligence for another country, they may revoke your green card.
What can you do to avoid losing your green card?
Some of the best ways to continue living in the U.S. as a permanent resident are to be open and transparent with USCIS regarding your whereabouts. Consistently file your tax returns to prove that you are present and working in the country. It is also important to avoid committing crimes, renew your green card on time and refrain from prolonged trips abroad to show you have not abandoned the United States. Many immigrants consult their attorneys for legal guidance because the laws concerning green cards may be complex.
