There are numerous benefits to being a lawful permanent resident, otherwise known as a “Green Card holder.” You get to live in the United States permanently. You get to work in the U.S. You get to sponsor relatives, and seek U.S. citizenship. However, being a Green Card holder is not the same as becoming a U.S. citizen, nor does it have the same “perks.”
For example, as long as you are a permanent resident, you can face removal proceedings, or otherwise be deported. Once you’re a U.S. citizen, you cannot be sent back to your home country. In other words, as long as you’re a permanent resident, you can lose your permanent resident status, which means you could be sent back to your country of birth or citizenship. You could be no longer welcome in the U.S. if you fail to maintain your status.
When You Fail to Maintain Permanent Resident Status
When you become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), your permanent resident status is maintained unless you: 1) become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, or 2) you abandon or lose your Green Card status. “How do I abandon or lose my Green Card status?” There are a number of ways this could happen, including:
- An immigration judge places you in removal proceedings and issues a final removal order.
- You move to another country and decide to live there permanently.
- You remain outside the U.S. for too long.
- You fail to file income tax returns while you live outside the U.S. for any length of time.
- On your U.S. tax returns, you declare yourself as a “nonimmigrant.”
Are you in danger of losing your Green Card? Are you facing removal proceedings because you committed a deportable offense? Or, do you need assistance with another immigration matter? For all of your immigration needs in Plano, Dallas and Fort Worth, contact The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC.