Does an expired green card mean I lost my legal status in the U.S.?
A conditional permanent resident receives a green card valid for two years. In order to remain a permanent resident, a conditional permanent resident must file a petition to remove the condition during the 90 days before the card expires. The conditions must be removed or you will lose your permanent resident status. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/conditional-permanent-residence
However, if you have already removed the condition and have a card that was valid for ten years, then you are a permanent resident and the card is only proof of your legal status. But even though your permanent resident status doesn’t expire when your card does, problems do arise when you let your green card expire. For starters, U.S. law requires that you carry a valid green card with you at all times. No valid green card means you are breaking this law and could get you charged with a misdemeanor crime. In addition, traveling, getting a job, renewing a driver’s license, or buying a home can be difficult or downright impossible with an expired green card because to do any of these things, you need to show proof of your permanent residency which means showing a valid/unexpired green card. To avoid these headaches, submit an application to renew your card at six months before the card is set to expire.
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/renew-green-card
Contact Sterling Law if you need assistance with this application. 231-486-0559 / sterlinglawoffice.net
The information in this post is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Sterling Law or the individual author nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the reader’s licensing jurisdiction.
