Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
That is a personal decision. Some of us do (or did) carry our GCs simply because it is the law.
Do you carry your GC with you all the time?
- Thread starter herenthere
- Start date
States are taking a lot of initiatives themselves...and you better be prepare. There was an old post about somebody that was traveling within the US and got stop by an ICE officer at the airport asking for her green card...can't remember the ending.
Many people don't carry their green card with them because of fear to get lost or stolen...same fear can be that a fire occur where you live and the green card get burned. In the US fires are really common. So it's up to every resident to do so or not, but just in case that may happen if you need to show it at the time its requested, there is nothing that you can say as an excuse if by law is pretty clear that you should carry with you.
In the case that is stolen or lost I guess you can go with your approval notice that should be kept safe for personal records and get a temporary stamp with an infopass?
Many people don't carry their green card with them because of fear to get lost or stolen...same fear can be that a fire occur where you live and the green card get burned. In the US fires are really common. So it's up to every resident to do so or not, but just in case that may happen if you need to show it at the time its requested, there is nothing that you can say as an excuse if by law is pretty clear that you should carry with you.
In the case that is stolen or lost I guess you can go with your approval notice that should be kept safe for personal records and get a temporary stamp with an infopass?
Well, being stuck as an asylee for 5+ years and just got I485 approval recently, I don't think I will carry my GC in my wallet unless I have an official business or travelling overseas. For 5+ years, I only need to have DL as my ID and no one even bothered to ask my Immigration status.
trialanderror83
Registered Users (C)
Even to the bathroom!
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
If my state starts resorting to Gestapo tactics, frequently checking people's status as they go about their day-to-day life activities (i.e. not just particular checkpoints like airports or DMV), I'll move to another state or deport my damn self.
Well, common sense should tell you that you should at least carry it to the airport, even if you don't carry everywhere, given that ID is required and it is common for people to be pulled aside for searching or questioning. And once you fly to your destination, the card won't be within easy driving distance unless you carried it.
That's what fireproof safes are for.
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nobody2006
Registered Users (C)
Where did the ICE officer come from on a domestic travel? I have traveled within the US > 50 times by air and all I need is DL. Yes, all are up to personal decision.
BTW: I read the story the person who was stopped by ICE officer. It ended with nothing after they made some phone calls to verify the status. It was said that there would be $100 fine if ICE could not confirm it. So, $100 fine is the cost of risk, which is much better than losing GC, I think.
TheRealCanadian
Volunteer Moderator
I suppose you could look at it that way.
It still amazes me that so many of you pick and choose which laws to follow. I wonder how you feel if USCIS adjudicators felt that way when looking at your petition? I know the law says that this person is eligible, but it's rather silly and unreasonable.
srikanthsiva
Registered Users (C)
i guess the law is there to deport someone if they really wanted to catch someone on small technical terms. like the maharishi guy who was deported on very minor immigration stuff.
Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
I suppose you have never driven even 1 mph over the speed limit? And did you know that in New York it is illegal to talk in an elevator? And in Massachusetts it is illegal for men to have their beard in the form of a goatee? And in Indiana it is illegal to bathe during the winter?
When a law is unreasonable and is seldom or never enforced, it will be ignored. Sometimes even by you, even if you don't want to admit it.
CalGreenCard
Registered Users (C)
Bumping this thread because there is a recent related thread and you raise a point that should be replied to.
There's a big difference between the AR-11 and carrying the GC at all times. The requirements of the AR-11 can clearly be strictly complied with, no exceptions. People don't move all that often and it isn't asking too much for someone to take 5 min to fill out AR-11 online and print out a copy for your records. It is just one of a huge number of bureaucratic tasks that accompany a move.
Clearly, however, there are limits to how far you can strictly comply with a requirement to carry a GC. Without getting too personal, there are obviously situations--having a shower, having sex, being in surgery--where the GC isn't feasibly going to physically be on someone's person. In such cases, we need to look at not only what the law says but how it is typically enforced in practice. A good lawyer can be very good at elucidating how serious this requirement is.
I have been in the U.S. continuously since 1996, first as a legal non-resident (F-1 student visa, twice in a row, then Optional Practical Training, then H1-B1 status from employer for 6 years), then as a LPR since 2009.
In all my years as a non-resident, and having been in a possession of a valid state drivers license in each different state from the beginning each time, I do not recall ever being asked to carry any proof of legal status other than a valid ID, except of course when traveling abroad.
It seems somewhat absurd that all of a sudden, after becoming a LPR, one is suddenly required to carry this card around at all times, when nothing else has changed.
I understand it is stated clearly as required by law, but maybe they make it so inclusive to ensure you'll have it with you at the times you really need it. (like maybe if you're randomly abducted across the mexican border and needed a way to prove you're really a US resident...)
All joking aside, no law enforcement officer ever asked me to produce any other documentation that a state ID, let alone asked what my immigration status was. I once was given a speeding ticket, which had the box "U.S. citizen" checked by the officer! (that was even before I became a permanent resident) and all he ever looked at was my driver's license, which, in our state, makes no mention of citizenship (unlike other states like California, which do and also require extensive background checks for aliens before a permanent license can be issued). Anyways, I got that speeding ticket dismissed in court, thanks to that!
In all my years as a non-resident, and having been in a possession of a valid state drivers license in each different state from the beginning each time, I do not recall ever being asked to carry any proof of legal status other than a valid ID, except of course when traveling abroad.
It seems somewhat absurd that all of a sudden, after becoming a LPR, one is suddenly required to carry this card around at all times, when nothing else has changed.
I understand it is stated clearly as required by law, but maybe they make it so inclusive to ensure you'll have it with you at the times you really need it. (like maybe if you're randomly abducted across the mexican border and needed a way to prove you're really a US resident...)
All joking aside, no law enforcement officer ever asked me to produce any other documentation that a state ID, let alone asked what my immigration status was. I once was given a speeding ticket, which had the box "U.S. citizen" checked by the officer! (that was even before I became a permanent resident) and all he ever looked at was my driver's license, which, in our state, makes no mention of citizenship (unlike other states like California, which do and also require extensive background checks for aliens before a permanent license can be issued). Anyways, I got that speeding ticket dismissed in court, thanks to that!
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Nobody will ask you to do that - it is the law, you have to do it yourself.
You are wrong - any alien in any status should carry his/her immigration documents at all times. It does not matter if you are on F-1, H-1B or have a GC - you are supposed to carry papers.
So many misconceptions... California licence does not indicate immigration status. Where do you get your information anyway?
It's the law to carry it with you all the time. In my case, I only did carry it when I was air traveling (domestic and internationally). At other times, I always had a photocopy of it in my wallet. The photocopy should keep you out of trouble assuming you have a friend or relative who has access to your house and grab your original card if need be.
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König, my apologies if I misinformed the community with my experience. I did indeed report that my California drivers license mentioned my nationality -which I thought it did-, but I have no way of verifying it for sure now. I held one for two years, and I did, as a (non-resident) alien, have to wait several months to get my plastic card while they did background checks, and I had a temporary paper which I had to use in the meantime. That much is for sure. The nationality part (I said nothing about it mentioning "immigration status" by the way), I might have confused with my FAA license, which does mention it. So, apologies for that. If someone has held a California driver's license as a non-resident alien around 2000-2002 and wants to confirm that it does not mention the country of nationality, that would be great.
For the rest, I merely related my life experience, and how I was never asked (or told, or read in immigration pamphlets, etc) so specifically to carry my immigration documents with me at all times, nearly as much as it was made obviously clear to carry my GC around in every single document I read once I received it. (that's why I said "I do not recall") I am not trying to contradict the law and I certainly believe that according to every immigration officer, whatever your alien status is, you are supposed to carry everything all the time.
I just read the following paragraph, which relates the experience of an H1-B visa holder who had some issues while traveling in another state and it makes me feel like I am okay to not carry my documents around in my state of residence.
"The CBP officer just told me, “ if you are not US Citizen or permanent resident, legally YOU HAVE to carry your Passport, I-94 and current Immigration Status document (like I-797 for H1B), whenever you are traveling out of your current resident state.”
This forum is intended to share experiences. I make no claims, I am not trying to be right or wrong. I apologize for suggesting anything to the contrary.
For the rest, I merely related my life experience, and how I was never asked (or told, or read in immigration pamphlets, etc) so specifically to carry my immigration documents with me at all times, nearly as much as it was made obviously clear to carry my GC around in every single document I read once I received it. (that's why I said "I do not recall") I am not trying to contradict the law and I certainly believe that according to every immigration officer, whatever your alien status is, you are supposed to carry everything all the time.
I just read the following paragraph, which relates the experience of an H1-B visa holder who had some issues while traveling in another state and it makes me feel like I am okay to not carry my documents around in my state of residence.
"The CBP officer just told me, “ if you are not US Citizen or permanent resident, legally YOU HAVE to carry your Passport, I-94 and current Immigration Status document (like I-797 for H1B), whenever you are traveling out of your current resident state.”
This forum is intended to share experiences. I make no claims, I am not trying to be right or wrong. I apologize for suggesting anything to the contrary.
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I held a California driving licence as a non-immigrant from 2001 until 2004, then I renewed it as a GC holder - they both were identical. Unlike Texas or Georgia (?) driving licences, the CA one does not mention legal status of the holder. I firmly believe that the driving licence should have one purpose - permitting the holder to drive. However, in the USA, it was made a primary identification document, then it started differentiating plebeians from patricians... what else can be piled up on top of it? When states get into the immigration business, it always results in a mess. Please forgive my small rant
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cafeconleche
Registered Users (C)
Yup, I agree that it should only be for driving purposes (it's fine to use it as primary ID for most purposes). There is an issue, though, with immigration status. Citizens have nothing to carry with them that is required, creating all sorts of problems.
Also, I didn't realize that all immigrants are required to carry proof of legal status. Never heard of that rule. Just the rule for LPRs.
Also, I didn't realize that all immigrants are required to carry proof of legal status. Never heard of that rule. Just the rule for LPRs.
König, you mention "legal status" on driver's licenses from certain states, does it just mention the country of nationality of the holder or does it show their actual US immigration status (i.e. Non-resident, Permanent Resident, U.S. Citizen)? I hold an FAA pilot certificate which makes mention of my country of nationality, not my immigrant (legal) status. (I just realized that I may have to update that in a few months too!
I have never held driving licences from the above mentioned states myself, so I can't be 100% sure. However, I think in Texas it indicates if you are a temporary visitor and when your legal status expires. It does not mention your nationality or your particular immigration status. Also, it has a vertical layout compared to the licences issued to citizens and LPRs. Basically, the Texas DPS made everything in their power to indicate whether a person is not a US citizen (or LPR, although they like to give temporary visitor licences to GC holders "by mistake" quite often). At one point they did not accept US passports as a proof of citizenship if the place of birth was outside of the USA. Apparently, they did not care that the US passport is the prima facie proof of the US citizenship in the USA. Not in Texas, no it ain't
Associate Press Article 12-02-2011
Congressman recommends immigrants carry documents
By ALICIA A. CALDWELL Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - An Illinois congressman is recommending that illegal immigrants living in states with tough new immigration laws start carrying documents showing their ties to their U.S. communities.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat, says illegal immigrants arrested for immigration violations by local police in states such as Alabama and South Carolina should show the documents to federal agents. He says they can ask to be released under the Department of Homeland Security's prosecutorial discretion policy.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton issued a memo in June detailing how ICE agents could use discretion when deciding which illegal immigrants shouldn't be deported. Morton cited cases such as young people brought to the country illegally as children and people with children or spouses who are U.S. citizens.
2011-12-02 16:34:38 GMT
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/a/w/1153/12-02-2011/20111202085001_30.html?DCMP=NWL-pro_top
Congressman recommends immigrants carry documents
By ALICIA A. CALDWELL Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - An Illinois congressman is recommending that illegal immigrants living in states with tough new immigration laws start carrying documents showing their ties to their U.S. communities.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat, says illegal immigrants arrested for immigration violations by local police in states such as Alabama and South Carolina should show the documents to federal agents. He says they can ask to be released under the Department of Homeland Security's prosecutorial discretion policy.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton issued a memo in June detailing how ICE agents could use discretion when deciding which illegal immigrants shouldn't be deported. Morton cited cases such as young people brought to the country illegally as children and people with children or spouses who are U.S. citizens.
2011-12-02 16:34:38 GMT
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/a/w/1153/12-02-2011/20111202085001_30.html?DCMP=NWL-pro_top