Travel with GC

[OpeLLL]

I met an elderly couple on saturday at a friend's house and they just got their green cards.
and they are traveling home for two months tomorrow, which is fine.
But unfortunately they said that they are planning to travel every 11 months. Basically spend 11 months in Russia and one month in US, or every six months (six here six in Russia) They wanna do this because they need the money and they are both on pension, and are suffering, but thats no the point.
The point is that a friend of ours told them that they cannot do this. Basically if you spend all together more then 1.5 years away from this country while you are on green card, your green card can just be taken away. is this true??? I mean they dont really have much intention to become citizens but obviously they do not want to lose their green cards.
Guys what do you think? What do you know about this 1.5 years traveling rule? I felt bad for them so just wana help them out a bit.
Thanks for your replies

 

[Jackolantern]

Guys what do you think? What do you know about this 1.5 years traveling rule?

There is no such rule.

One unbroken year outside the US without a reentry permit is enough to revoke the GC.

For trips less than 12 consecutive months, they look at the entire picture of circumstances and make a subjective decision ... how long and frequent were the prior trips, did the person work overseas, did the person maintain a house or apartment in the US while overseas, etc.

6 months in the US followed by 6 months in Russia each year shouldn't be a problem. But 1 month in the US followed by 11 months in Russia is likely to lead to them losing the GC if they keep up that pattern for a couple year or more.

Basically spend 11 months in Russia and one month in US, or every six months (six here six in Russia) They wanna do this because they need the money and they are both on pension, and are suffering, but thats no the point.

They need to physically be in Russia for that amount of time to collect the pension?

 

[OpeLLL]

There is no such rule.

One unbroken year outside the US without a reentry permit is enough to revoke the GC.

For trips less than 12 consecutive months, they look at the entire picture of circumstances and make a subjective decision ... how long and frequent were the prior trips, did the person work overseas, did the person maintain a house or apartment in the US while overseas, etc.

6 months in the US followed by 6 months in Russia each year shouldn't be a problem. But 1 month in the US followed by 11 months in Russia is likely to lead to them losing the GC if they keep up that pattern for a couple year or more.

They need to physically be in Russia for that amount of time to collect the pension?

Thanks for your reply.
I am not familiar with details. But as far as I know they want to sped that amount of time also because of their kids.
I will let them know.
I really appreciate it.

 

[Jackolantern]

Why did they bother to get a green card? Seems like a tourist visa would be more suitable. If they keep their green cards, they could be liable for US taxes on their Russian pension, because permanent residents are subject to US taxation on worldwide income (although there are exemptions and tax treaties that can be used to offset that).

 

[OpeLLL]

Why did they bother to get a green card? Seems like a tourist visa would be more suitable.

Honestly I dont know. I felt maybe it was a bit inappropriate to ask them that since i met them for the first time. but they are 65 years old couple and I just felt bad for them coz they were so confused.