Update to GREEN CARD HOLDERS: Is Not Carrying Your Green Card The New Immigration Risk?

For millions of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) across the U.S., carrying a Green Card has always felt optional—something you needed for the airport, but not for running errands. That is no longer the case.

A long-dormant federal law is now being actively enforced, leading to LPRs being stopped and fined by federal agents for a simple oversight: not having their papers on them.

If you are a Green Card holder (LPR) or any other registered non-U.S. citizen, you need to know about the renewed enforcement of this law now.

The Immediate Danger

Federal agencies are now citing and ticketing legal residents found without their proof of registration.

• Case Example: A recent incident in Chicago saw a 60-year-old Green Card holder ticketed $130 by ICE agents simply for not carrying his Green Card during a routine street stop.

• The Penalty: Failure to comply is a misdemeanor, technically punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or up to 30 days in prison.

 Why is This Happening Now?

The change is the direct result of a new policy directive to "faithfully execute the immigration laws."

1. Executive Order: In January 2025, a new Executive Order directed federal agencies to eliminate prior enforcement discretion.

2. DHS Action: In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explicitly modernized and re-stated the "carry" requirement, ensuring that the statutory penalty is clear.

The law has always existed, but the political will to enforce it against Lawful Permanent Residents in their everyday lives is new.

Need to Clarify Your Status or History?

The most confusing aspect of this law is figuring out what exactly constitutes "proof of registration." If your status is complex, or if you have old immigration files you need to review to ensure compliance, please contact us. Our office offers comprehensive legal consultations to review your registration history, retrieve necessary records (like your USCIS A-File via FOIA), and advise you on full compliance with this renewed enforcement.