Green Card Holders: Traveling Abroad? Read This First.

Planning International Travel as a Green Card Holder? Read This First.

If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States, you may assume your green card gives you the freedom to travel in and out of the country without concern. But in today’s stricter enforcement environment, that assumption could put your legal status at risk.

Increased scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry means that even green card holders are being flagged, delayed, or denied reentry—especially if they have past immigration issues, extended absences from the U.S., or anything in their history that might raise red flags to border officials.

Why Is This Happening?

Recent changes in immigration enforcement have led to more aggressive screening procedures at airports and land borders. Officers are trained to identify potential grounds of inadmissibility—even for individuals who already hold green cards. In some cases, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may question you about:

• Time spent outside the U.S.
• Alleged misrepresentations in past applications
• Criminal history (including dismissed charges)
• Suspected abandonment of permanent residence
• Travel to certain countries or regions
• Social media activity or digital content on your devices

What was once a routine trip abroad could now prompt a high-stakes encounter at the airport.

Real-World Consequences

One example that made headlines: a green card holder, student, and community activist—despite being married to a U.S. citizen—was detained upon return to the United States. The government alleged that he had misrepresented certain facts during the green card process, and his reentry was suddenly in question.

This is not an isolated case. We have seen permanent residents detained for things they did years ago—or for circumstances they thought were harmless at the time.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Before traveling internationally, consult with an experienced immigration attorney. A simple review of your case can uncover any risks and help you address them proactively. We can help determine:

• Whether your travel might trigger scrutiny
• If your time abroad could be seen as abandonment of your green card
• Whether prior visa applications or immigration statements could be reexamined
• What documentation you should carry to protect your reentry

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

A quick conversation now can prevent months of stress—or worse, the loss of your permanent resident status.

At Sverdloff Law Group, we offer tailored pre-travel consultations for green card holders. If you’re planning a trip abroad, contact us first. We’ll assess your risks and give you a roadmap for safe return.

Your green card is valuable—let’s keep it that way.  Schedule a consultation today!