Many permanent residents put off renewing their green cards until the last minute. They move across the country with expired green cards, believing that they do not need to utilize them in their daily lives. They ignore the fact that their green cards have expired. However, these green card holders are presumably unaware of the law’s provisions.
Everyone who has been given lawful permanent resident status in the United States will be awarded a paper or card of alien registration, which they must carry with them at all times, according to Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
As a result, green card holders must understand that they must renew their expiring or expired cards and maintain a valid card at all times. Permanent residents who fail to comply with the INA’s provisions shall be judged to have committed a misdemeanor.
People may feel that renewing their green cards will cost a lot of money, but they don’t realize that the implications of having an expired card might be far more expensive. Although one’s permanent resident status may not be jeopardized by having an expired green card, the expired card can pose complications, particularly when looking for new employment in the United States.
For all new employees hired in the United States, employers must complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This form is used to verify that new workers are permitted to work here and validate their identity. Legal permanent residents will be asked to show their legitimate green cards when filling out this form.
Employers may refuse to accept green cards that aren’t valid. As a result, it will be difficult to start new jobs if your green card has expired. Permanent residents may establish their identity by presenting their foreign passports with the temporary I-551 stamp. If their passports aren’t stamped, they’ll have to get them stamped, which may take a long time.
However, this does not preclude legal permanent residents from working in the United States if their green cards have expired. Even if they have I-551 stamps on their passports, they will need to renew their green cards. As a result, it’s a good idea to double-check that their permanent cards are still valid.
Similarly, several American states require permanent residents to have valid green cards in order to apply for professional licenses, such as nurses or insurance agents. It will be difficult to obtain permits for certain occupations if your green card has expired.
Renew your permanent residence card within six months of its expiration date to avoid getting into problems. If your green card has already expired, start the renewal procedure now by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace/Renew Permanent Resident Card. You will not be penalized for renewing your expired green card.
