Articles Posted in Travel

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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.

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If you’re a U.S. Green Card holder, you might think your permanent residency means smooth sailing through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after returning from temporary foreign travel. But 2025 has brought some surprising developments that remind every lawful permanent resident (LPR) to be extra cautious. These changes might sound a little crazy—but ignoring them could cause big problems at the port of entry.

New CBP Policy—Mandatory Data Collection Practice

Starting December 26, 2025, CBP will roll out a new policy mandating the collection of biometric data from green card holders and noncitizens upon their entry to and departure from the United States.

This new policy requires all noncitizens, including green card holders, to have their photograph taken and potentially provide additional biometrics (such as fingerprints, iris scans, or voice prints) when entering or exiting the U.S. via land, sea or airports.

The regulation is intended to strengthen border security, reduce travel document fraud and ensure more accurate records of departures and arrivals; however, it also raises significant privacy considerations as agencies will collect, store, and process biometric data from large numbers of individuals.

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Starting Wednesday, May 7th, anyone 18 years and older traveling domestically within the United States must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or another accepted form of identification to board a commercial flight.

To learn more about the REAL ID, how to obtain one, and what alternative documents are accepted for travel, keep watching.

Who is Affected

  • Anyone 18 years and older boarding a flight in the United States

Including:

  • Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders)
  • Non-immigrant Visa Holders
  • Undocumented immigrants

What is a Real ID

A Real ID is a type of state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets enhanced federal security standards established by Congress with the passage of the Real ID Act in 2005. It was created to improve the reliability of photo IDs and to prevent identity fraud.

At a Glance

  • A Real ID is a federally approved form of identification that includes additional security features compared to standard licenses.
  • It is required for boarding domestic commercial flights and contains a Real ID star marking on the top right.

How to Get One

  • Gather Required Documents: You’ll need to provide proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and approved form I-94), proof of a Social Security number (such as your SSN card or paystub), and proof of your residency (two documents such as a Federal Tax Return, rental or lease agreement).
  • Application Process: With your documents in hand, visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (or the equivalent issuing agency in your state), or check to see if you can complete your application online, and pay the applicable fees to receive a Real ID-compliant card.

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