What are the problems if a person leaves an employer immediately after obtaining GC?

Q

quickdraw27

Registered Users (C)
My question is actually with reference to the prevailing belief that a person should not leave an employer immediately after obtaining a green card ( even though he/she might have worked with her for a long time (My friend, who is in this situation has worked for 5 years) before getting his/her GC).

Am I right to assume that in such a situation, one might run into problems only when applying for citizenship? So, basically, if one never applies for citizenship, one could , theoretically leave one's employer within a few months of receiving the green card and not face any problems later on?
 
I believe the argument is that GC is for future employment, so if you are not going to work for the company after your GC is approved, then BCIS feels like the company and/or you lied about the need for you to work for that job. So that is why it can be a problem.

I don't know if the GC has to be renewed every X years or not.
If it has to be renewed then BCIS might find out that you didn't work for a sufficient time after getting your GC

what if you loose your plastic card, then you will need to re-apply for a new one, and at that time BCIS might find out?

These are all just my comments, I really don't know if the GC has to be renewed or not.
 
My lawyer does not seem to think so. He used an analogy that getting approval is like going through a door. Once you get through, there is no going back. He said you could leave your company on the same day your passport is stamped.

Is my lawyer being too casual on this matter? What do you all think?
 
I would imagine that if your employer got upset with you leaving immediately after getting your GC that he/she could report it to the INS. Then they might investigate you for fraud.
 
For your clarification green card has to be renewed ever 10 years, until you become a citizen.
Yes, fraudulent intention may be adduced if you leave your employer soon after getting the green card (six to twelve months is generally considered to be the safe period); however if for genuine business reasons your employment is terminated that is acceptable. Remember, it is just not walking through the door and disappearing--after 9/11 one should be extra-careful as any doubt may result in the green card being in jeopardy. And after this long toil and torture(?) do you want to undergo another!
Cheers!
 
only the card expires...

your status does not change..only the card expires after 10 years and you just get a new card. I don't think they evaluate whether you left your employer at the time.
 
Great discussion! I totally agree that it does not hurt to be cautious.
But when you have to take the risk, my argument would be that if they even allow you to switch company (provided maintaining in the same function) in the middle of applying for green card, why it is considered unacceptable to switch afterwards?
 
And what about the people that have left the sponsoring employer before they are approved and still get approved as they did not inform BCIS that they are not and will not be working for the sponsoring employer? I think BCIS would consider this fraud.
 
Yes, stealing is passe unless you get caught!
To clarify certain aspects:
When a company sponsors you for permanent residence they take over certain responsibilities as mentioned and certified in ETA 750A. What the AC 21 now permits is that if the 485 petition has not been adjudicated for 180 days after receipt another employer can take over this sponsorship provided the job classification is the same.
Hence there is no inherent discrepancy--basically a legal construct. Once the sponsor accepts his responsibility you are again in the same contractual bind--you cannot change at will!
License they cry when they mean liberty?
 
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