Many people think that a person can only be a U.S. permanent resident if he or she possesses a green card, which is a plastic card that is also referred to as a form I-551.  Actually, this card (which is currently not issued in the color green) is simply one form of proof that a person is a permanent resident.  The card is issued by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) to foreign nationals sometime after they are granted permanent residency.  A green card, along with the foreign national’s passport, allows the person to travel to and from the United States; thus, it acts as a permanent visa.  It is important to remember, however, that a permanent resident who travels outside the U.S. for 180 days or more needs to obtain a travel document or a re-entry permit.  Without such documentation, the USCIS may determine that the foreign national has the intent to abandon his or her permanent residency.  Furthermore, if the travel is one year or more, the USCIS may also determine that the person actually abandoned his or her U.S. permanent residency.  Both of these situations can result in the loss of permanent residence.  Before you travel outside the U.S, it is advisable that you contact the Long Beach Immigration Attorneys and the Orange County Immigration Lawyers at Smith & Garg for a detailed consultation with respect to your rights and obligations as permanent residents.
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.