Due to the name, it is natural to assume that a person with permanent resident status can remain in the United States indefinitely. However, when individuals take certain actions, they could be at risk of losing their permanent resident status and even being deported. There are many ways a person could lose this coveted status, but a few of the most common are found below.Â
In most cases, if you live outside of the United States for more than 12 months, you will lose your permanent resident status. In some instances, even leaving for a shorter amount of time can trigger removal of your status. This happens when the customs officer upon your reentry determines you had intentions to relocate outside of the United States.Â
There are ways to leave the country, even for an extended period of time, without losing your status. For example, if you need to take care of a sick relative in your home country, you can obtain a reentry permit before leaving the United States. This typically grants you an absence of up to 24 months.Â
Many green card holders, and those striving to get one, cannot imagine why a person would ever voluntarily abandon their status. However, thousands of people do this every year in the United States. Most do it to avoid paying U.S. taxes, although this has severe long-term consequences.Â
In some instances, customs officers ask immigrants to sign Form I-407, which states that you wish to abandon your permanent resident status. They do this when challenging a person’s reentry. Anyone asked to sign this form at the border should refuse to do so and state that they would like to exercise their right to defend themselves in removal proceedings.Â
Anytime you are dishonest, commit fraud, or misrepresent the facts of your case in the immigration system, it has serious consequences. One of these is that you are at risk of losing your permanent resident status. One of the most common types of fraud committed in the immigration system is marriage fraud.Â
Some permanent residents have conditions on their stay in the United States. When these conditions are not removed by the time their two-year green cards have expired, they are at risk of deportation. Permanent residents must file a petition to remove the conditions 90 days before their green card expires.Â
If you have a green card and want to protect it, or you are still trying to obtain immigrant status, contact our Chicago immigration attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC. We can help you through the complicated immigration system in the country and give you the best chance of success in obtaining the status you want. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys.Â
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Justin Burton! He is an outstanding specialist in his field and an attorney who quite literally changed our family’s life. Mr. Burton demonstrated a highly professional approach and exceptional dedication to our case. He stands out for his extensive knowledge of immigration law and, beyond that, is a person of great integrity. I can wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Justin Burton and…
I would like to start this review with a big thank you for the immigration lawyer, Nicole Provax, who has done a successful and amazing work on my dad’s case! She was dedicated in walking us through the whole process, keeping excellent communication with us, and despite the little hurdles that came up along the way, she was able to get the case to continue progressing! I’m forever grateful of…
We had the pleasure of having Justin Burton on my parents case. From the moment we reached out, his staff was incredibly welcoming and took the time to really listen to our concerns. We never felt rushed or like just another case, Justin made sure we understood every step of the process and answered all our questions with patience and clarity. What really impressed us was how Justin and staff…
I had the pleasure of working with Brittni Rivera for my immigration case, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. From start to finish, she was incredibly professional, attentive, and knowledgeable. She took the time to explain the entire process, answered all of my questions, and ensured I felt supported every step of the way. What stood out most was her ability to simplify complex legal language and…
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy