One of the most important advantages of possessing a green card is that it allows a person to travel outside of the United States.  The card acts as a permanent visa, and so long as the date on the card remains valid, a permanent resident may use it to request readmission to the U.S. following a trip abroad.  If your green card does not have an expiration date, you should contact the Long Beach immigration attorneys at Smith & Garg to replace your green card, as you are required to replace the card immediately.  One reason the government requires you to obtain a new card is that new cards have better security features.  New green cards have an electronic readable strip that contain all your immigration information and allow officers to determine your status much quicker at the port of entry.  Residents who have the old cards are often escorted to secondary inspections for further review upon entry with the old green card.  To avoid negative consequences associated with an old card, we advise that you contact one of our experienced immigration attorneys to help you replace your card.  In addition, depending on the length of your travel, you may need a re-entry permit or a travel document.  Please see our FAQ on that subject.

Should you have any questions regarding your immigration matters, please contact the experienced immigration attorneys of Smith & Garg at 562-590-7300 or call our toll-free number at 877-517-4275.  You can also submit an inquiry through our Long Beach Immigration Online Inquiry.