Now That You Are a Permanent Resident: Warnings, Rights and Responsibilities

Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status does not expire. That means you can live and work in the U.S., as long as the government doesn’t take that status from you.

It depends. If you break certain laws or don’t follow certain rules, your LPR status can be taken away, and you could be deported.

When you get your LPR status in the U.S. you have certain responsibilities.

1. Carry Your LPR Card

You have to carry your LPR card with you everywhere you go. If you are stopped by immigration, you could be asked to prove your immigration status.

2. Report Your Change of Address

You need to tell USCIS every time you move. You have 10 days to tell them. Use Form AR-11, Change of Address. See our fact sheet Reporting Your Change of Address. You can stop sending Form AR-11 if you become a U.S. citizen.

3. Certain Males Must Register with Selective Service

Most men in the U.S between the ages of 18-25 must register with the Selective Service. This agency could use the information if the U.S. ever needs people for military service.

Register online at www.sss.gov or in person at any U.S. Post Office. 

4. Renew Your LPR Card

Most LPR cards have an expiration date on them. Your status doesn’t expire on this date, you can still live and work in the U.S. But you should renew your card so you have proof of your LPR status. LPR cards usually expire after 10 years. Apply to renew your LPR card 6 months before the expiration date. Use Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Learn more by reading our fact sheet Replacing Your Permanent Resident Card.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, talk to an immigration lawyer before applying to renew or replace your LPR card. 

There are several ways to lose LPR status. Here are some of them.

1. Crimes. If you are convicted of certain crimes you could lose your status and be deported. Some examples are domestic abuse, sexual abuse, smuggling, drug crimes, firearms crimes, and some theft, assault, and fraud crimes. Also, a conviction means something different for immigration than in criminal court.

• If you are arrested or charged with a crime: Get a criminal defense lawyer. The judge can give you a free one if your income is low. Make sure your criminal defense lawyer talks to an immigration lawyer about how to protect your LPR status.

• If you were charged with a crime in the past, and the criminal case in court is already finished: Talk to an immigration lawyer. An immigration lawyer can tell you if you are in danger of losing your LPR status and if there is anything you can do about it.

• If you want to travel outside the U.S., but you have been arrested or had problems with police in the past: Talk to an immigration lawyer before you travel. An immigration lawyer can tell you if you might have trouble re-entering the U.S. once you leave.

2. False Claims to U.S. Citizenship. Never say you are a U.S. citizen. It is a false claim to citizenship to say you are a citizen for any reason related to immigration or to any federal or state law. This includes to get a job or to vote. It also could include saying out loud that you are a citizen, writing it, putting it on a form, or using a U.S. citizen’s identity documents. You could lose your LPR status and be deported if you falsely claim U.S. citizenship.

3. Do not vote. Do not register to vote. In Minnesota, only citizens can vote or register to vote. It is the same in most other places, too. If you think you are eligible to vote for any elected office where you live, talk to an immigration lawyer before registering to be sure. You could lose your status and be deported for voting illegally or registering to vote illegally.

4. Long Trips Outside the U.S. If you leave the U.S. for too long, you could risk losing your immigration status because of “abandonment” or have trouble becoming a citizen. Generally, a trip shorter than 6 months is safe. If you plan to leave the U.S. for longer than 6 months, talk to an immigration lawyer first. You may need to apply for a reentry permit before you leave the country.

As an LPR, you have rights and advantages. These are things like:

• Petition for Family Members to Get a Visa or Status
  As an LPR, you can petition for your spouse. You can also petition for your unmarried children.
   
• Public Benefits
  You might be able to get help from some public benefit programs. It will depend on where you live and how you got your LPR status.
   
• Health Insurance
  If you had health insurance through work before getting LPR status, that doesn’t change. But, if you didn’t already have health insurance, getting LPR status might help you qualify for health insurance. Different states have different programs and different rules.
  
  In Minnesota, an LPR may be able to get public health insurance or a subsidy. Eligibility is based on household income and other factors. You can sign up for insurance through the MNSure system at www.MNsure.org. You can also get help signing up at many clinics, hospitals and agencies. People called “Navigators” are there to help you sign up. Contact your local legal aid office for more information.
   
• Travel
  If you have LPR status you can travel. You may need a passport. Talk to an immigration lawyer if you have been arrested or if you have any criminal convictions.
   
• Apply for Citizenship
  Becoming a U.S. citizen can be very useful. Citizens can’t be deported. LPRs should talk to a lawyer before applying for citizenship. See our fact sheet Becoming a U.S. Citizen.