It is a long and difficult journey to permanent U.S. residence, but it offers a broad range of job possibilities and reassures immigrants that they can live and work legally in the United States. But a green card could be lost through mistakes, status abandonment, or deportation orders from judges.
USCIS argues that these factors, whether intentional or accidental, could be construed as abandoning permanent residence status.
Some of the factors that could contribute to this is moving to another country with the intention of living there permanently, staying abroad for a prolonged period, failing to declare income to the IRS and state income tax authorities, declaring "nonimmigrant" status on U.S. tax returns, or failing to register for the Selective Service System if the immigrants are males between 18 years old and 25 years old.
U.S. laws also may cancel permanent residence if an immigration judge issues a final order of deportation because of serious crimes, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A USCIS regulation put in place last year requires immigrants to appear before an immigration court if they have abused any program related to public benefits.
Read more: Immigrants facing deportation don’t always have to leave the U.S. Here’s what they can do
A person can be deported if there’s evidence of “fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter or application before a governmental agency,” the policy memorandum notes.
A deportation order can cancel a green card status.
Immigrants facing this scenario should seek legal help, because it is very difficult to regain permanent residence status once the green card has been canceled.
