Maintaining Permanent Residency
Many foreign nationals wish to stay in the United States longer than the period of time allowed by their initial visas. In these cases, it may be possible to apply to become a permanent resident in the U.S. Permanent residents are protected under the same laws as U.S. citizens, and they have the right to remain in the U.S. permanently as long as they maintain this permanent residency and do not commit crimes or other actions that warrant deportation.
If you are interested in becoming a permanent resident of the United States, it is important that you follow the correct procedures in applying for your green card. For help with reaching your goal of permanent residency, you should contact an experienced Orange County immigration attorney from Garg & Associates, P.C., at 949-540-6704 today.
Steps to Remain a Permanent Resident
To remain in the U.S. as permanent residents, green card holders must take several steps to protect this status. To maintain permanent residency, you must perform the following:
- Renew your green card when it expires
- Obey national, state, and local laws
- Pay your income taxes to the IRS
- Support democratic government
What Counts as Abandoning Permanent Residency?
You can be removed from the United States if you do not follow the above guidelines, or if you commit an action that counts as abandoning your permanent residency. Things that count as abandoning permanent residency include:
- Any extended absences from the U.S., especially for those lasting more than a year
- Declaring “nonimmigrant” status on your tax forms
- Not paying income tax returns while outside the U.S.
- Moving outside of the U.S. without planning to return
If you abandon your permanent residency, you can have your rights as a permanent resident revoked, and you can be deported from the U.S.
Contact Us
If you are applying for a green card, you should make sure that you understand the guidelines to remain a permanent resident. To learn more, contact a knowledgeable Orange County immigration lawyer from Garg & Associates, P.C., at 949-540-6704.
