U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a warning to green card holders, emphasizing the need to carry proof of immigration status at all times to avoid fines or jail time.
The requirement for permanent residents to carry their immigration documents is not new, but federal officers are now enforcing it more rigorously. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, green card holders must have their documents on them at all times.
Carlos Moctezuma Garcia, an attorney, noted that while the law has been on the books for years, it has rarely been enforced.
“I never had a case where a person has been prosecuted for not carrying their lawful permanent resident card,” Garcia said.
Garcia expressed concern that the law serves no practical purpose and that individuals should not face criminal penalties for not carrying their identification at all times, particularly in situations where they might lose it.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, green card holders are required to carry their documents at all times.
To minimize risk, Garcia recommends that permanent residents make copies of their documents as a backup. However, carrying the original may be necessary due to increased immigration enforcement in public areas.
Garcia pointed out that immigration officers are increasingly present in places like Home Depots, workplaces, and bus stations, where individuals are being stopped and asked for their documents.
As immigration enforcement becomes more common in public areas, permanent residents are advised to carry their documents to avoid significant fines and potential jail time.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KVEO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KVEO staff before being published.
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