U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a warning to green card holders, reminding lawful permanent residents to carry proof of their immigration status at all times.
“Always carry your alien registration documentation. Not having these when stopped by federal law enforcement can lead to a misdemeanor and fines,” CBP wrote on X.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to remove millions of migrants without legal status to fulfill his campaign pledge of mass deportations. The White House has maintained that anyone living in the country unlawfully is considered to be a criminal.
In addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained. Newsweek has reported on dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
What To Know
The Office of Homeland Security Statistics estimated that as of January 1, 2024, there were about 12.8 million lawful permanent residents living in the United States.
The requirement for noncitizens to carry registration documents is not new. It originates from Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes failure to carry these documents a federal misdemeanor.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), lawful permanent residents who fail to comply with these legal requirements risk losing their immigration status and may face removal from the country.
Green card holders have the right to remain silent and request legal representation if detained. While carrying proof of status is legally required, individuals are not obligated to answer questions without a lawyer present.
USCIS has also implemented a new $1,050 fee for certain applications that were previously free when filed as part of a green card case if the case was being adjudicated by an immigration court. The fee applies to Form I-131, used to request travel documents such as advance parole, and Form I-765, the application for employment authorization. The change adds a significant financial burden for individuals navigating the court system while seeking lawful permanent residence.
What People Are Saying
Customs and Border Protection posted on X: “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him. Failing to do so can lead to a misdemeanor and fines if you are stopped by federal law enforcement. If you are a non-citizen, please follow the laws of the United States of America.”
