Although a U.S. green card is an indication of lawful permanent residence, that residence won't actually last permanently if you don't learn what it takes to protect your status and act accordingly.
Green card holders have to comply with certain requirements. If you fail to comply with such requirements, your green card can be revoked. Here are a few tips that can help you retain and enjoy the benefits of your green card for years to come -- or until you decide to become a U.S. citizen.
File U.S. Income Tax Returns
As a green card holder, you must file all applicable federal, state, and local income tax returns. On your income tax returns, you must mark your status as an immigrant. Even if you have stayed outside the U.S. for some period of time, you must file your income tax returns for that period. For more information on this topic, see "When Must Green Card Holders Pay U.S. Taxes?."
Don't Move to, or Spend Too Much Time in, Another Country
When the U.S. government approves you for a green card, it makes the assumption that you want to actually live in the U.S. -- and can revoke your status if you don't. You must ensure that you maintain your primary home in the United States.
If you move to another country with the intention of settling there, you will be deemed to have given up your green card. The same goes if you stay outside the U.S. for more than one year without getting a reentry permit first. Even a six-month long trip will raise many questions at the border when you return.
Despite rumors you may have heard, residing outside the U.S. and merely returning once a year for several weeks to use the green card is not enough. The immigraton authorities will consider your ties to the U.S. to determine your intent. They will look at family ties, property holdings, business affiliations, length of stay outside the U.S., and your local community ties.
If you know that you will want or need to stay outside the U.S. for more than one year, you must apply for a re-entry permit before leaving.
For more information on this topic, including information on how to apply for a reentry permit, see the articles under "Avoiding Abandonment of Residence."
Obey the Law
If you commit a crime or otherwise break the law, you may become "deportable." Your crime will become known to the immigration authorities either because local police advice them that you appear not to be a U.S. citizen, or because they will interview you while you're in jail. Then you'll be sent to immigration court and can potentially lose your U.S. permanent residence. To learn more about the grounds of deportability, see "Immigrant Deportability."
Another important law to be aware of is a section of the immigration law requiring that you advise USCIS of any changes in your address. For details, see "Can I Really Be Deported for Not Advising USCIS of My Change of Address?"
Also realize that if you're hoping to apply for U.S. citizenship some day, you will need to prove your good moral character. Having a crime on your record will make this very difficult, or delay your ability to apply for some years.
