Articles Posted in Proving strong ties

by

Many green card holders assume their permanent residency is secure—but one overlooked mistake could quietly put everything at risk. As immigration enforcement tightens heading into 2026, a single misstep may be enough to trigger the loss of your green card forever. In this post, we uncover the #1 silent mistake permanent residents make, why it’s becoming more dangerous than ever, and how to protect your status before it’s too late.

Holiday Travel Triggers New Return Issues for Green Card Holders

During the holiday season, many green card holders travel abroad to visit family, and recently, more are encountering issues with CBP when returning to the U.S. In this video, we cover five of the top concerns that you need to be aware of.

#1 Lack of Ties to the United States

A lack of strong ties to the United States is one of the most common reasons green card holders face problems when reentering the country. Extended time abroad, no U.S. job, limited family connections, or not maintaining a primary residence can make CBP question whether you’ve abandoned your permanent residency. Even if travel was meant to be temporary, weak U.S. ties can signal that the U.S. is no longer your primary home.

#2 Failing to Take Proper Precautions Before Extended Time Abroad

Failing to plan properly before spending extended time abroad can put your green card at risk. Long absences of more than 6 months without a reentry permit, clear travel purpose, or proof of intent to return may lead CBP to question whether permanent residency was abandoned. Even well-intended trips can create serious problems if the right precautions aren’t taken in advance.

Continue reading

by

In this video, attorney Jacob J. Sapochnick answers one of your most frequently asked questions: I am an undocumented immigrant that has been living in the United States for the past 15 years. I have used a different name on all of my legal documentation. How will this affect me if there is immigration reform?

https://soundcloud.com/askanimmigrationlawyer/using-a-different-name-what-happens-with-immigration-reform

Overview: 

Question: I’ve been living and working in the United States for the past 15 years. I’ve worked using someone else’s security number and I have been paying my taxes, but I don’t have any records or documents with my real name, how is this going to affect me in the future when I try to qualify for immigration reform?

Continue reading