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Permanent residents, also known as the green card holders, are authorized to live and work in the United States permanently. However, certain actions or inactions can cause the potential loss of this immigration status. Here are few ways that can result in the loss of the permanent resident status:

• Criminal Convictions

Certain criminal convictions can cause an individual to lose the permanent resident status. If you are a permanent resident and have committed a criminal act, make sure that your criminal lawyer knows your immigration status. Most criminal lawyers don not understand the immigration laws. Therefore, ask your criminal attorney to consult with an immigration attorney.

• Failure to Remove Condition on Residence

This one can get confusing. We get many clients every year who have filed the wrong form to remove the condition. Certain spouses and foreign national investors may get a two-year conditional green card. They must remove the condition 90 days before the card expires. You may lose the permanent resident status if you don’t file the right form on time. Remember, this is not the renewal of your green card.

• Living Outside the United States

There is no fixed period that will trigger abandonment of your green card. However, if you stay outside the United States for more than 12 months, you may lose your lawful permanent resident status. Consult an immigration attorney if you are planning on staying outside the United Status for 6 months or longer.

The information provided in the above article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this page are for general informational purposes only.