Acquiring a Green Card is a lengthy and often expensive process. Many Legal Permanent Residents (LPR’s) relax when they obtain a Green Card, believing that they can finally travel freely back and forth or even relocate to their home countries and can always reenter the U.S. using their Green Cards as a travel document. While a lengthy absence from the U.S. does not automatically cancel the LPR status of an alien, an extended absence may trigger the inquiry of the USCIS as to the alien’s intention to remain a permanent resident of the U.S. Further, unlike citizenship which cannot be taken away, LPR’s can have their Green Cards taken away for committing certain crimes. As a result, many LPR’s mistakenly believe that acquiring a Green Card is the biggest hurdle to clear. However, as many of my clients have experienced, maintaining their Green Card can be as tricky as acquiring one. Read More