Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), commonly known as green card holders, are reportedly facing increased questioning — and in some cases, denial of entry — when returning to the United States after traveling abroad.
Under the administration of Donald Trump, immigration enforcement agencies have taken a stricter approach in reviewing returning residents. While green card holders generally have the right to live and return to the U.S., that right is not unconditional.
If certain immigration rules are not followed, a green card holder may face delays, intensive questioning, or even accusations of abandoning permanent resident status.
Why Are Green Card Holders Being Questioned?
Although lawful permanent residents are allowed to travel internationally, U.S. immigration law places important limits on how long they can remain outside the country.
According to immigration attorney Karim Jivani, lengthy absences, criminal history, fraud concerns, or evidence suggesting abandonment of U.S. residence can all trigger scrutiny at the port of entry.
In particular, officers may question whether a green card holder:
- Stayed outside the U.S. too long
- Established residence in another country
- Lacks strong ties to the United States
- Violated immigration or criminal laws
Even if no single trip exceeds one year, repeated long stays abroad can raise concerns.
The 1-Year Rule: When Your Green Card Becomes Invalid for Reentry
If a green card holder remains outside the United States for one year or more, the Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) is technically no longer valid for reentry.
In such cases, immigration authorities may determine that the individual has abandoned their permanent resident status.
This can result in:
- Being placed in removal proceedings
- Being required to appear before an immigration judge
- Denial of entry into the United States
To avoid this serious risk, permanent residents planning to remain outside the U.S. for one year or longer must apply for a reentry permit before leaving the country.
Planning to Travel for 1 Year or More? File Form I-131
If you intend to stay abroad for one year or more, you must file Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) to obtain a reentry permit.
Important rules to remember:
- You must be physically present in the U.S. when filing Form I-131.
- File at least 60 days before your planned travel.
- You must complete biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
- Once biometrics are done, you may leave the U.S. while the application is pending.
- The reentry permit is generally valid for up to 2 years.
A reentry permit helps demonstrate that you did not intend to abandon your permanent residence.
Without it, staying abroad for one year or more could lead to serious complications.
Absences Under 1 Year Can Still Cause Problems
Even if your trip is less than one year, you may still face scrutiny.
Your residence can be considered abandoned if:
- You move your primary home to another country
- You work long-term abroad
- You do not maintain strong U.S. ties (tax filings, home, employment, family connections)
Frequent extended travel can also raise red flags during future immigration reviews.
If you are outside the U.S. for less than one year, you may normally use your valid green card to return — but that does not guarantee you will avoid questioning.
How Travel Impacts Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship)
If you plan to apply for U.S. citizenship, travel history becomes even more important.
Under general eligibility rules, a permanent resident must:
- Maintain continuous residence in the U.S. for at least 5 years
- Be physically present in the U.S. for the required time
- Live in the state or USCIS district for at least 3 months before filing
An absence of:
- More than 6 months but less than 1 year creates a presumption that continuous residence has been broken.
- 1 year or more almost always breaks continuous residence for naturalization purposes.
You may overcome the presumption in certain cases, but it requires strong documentation.
Repeated long trips can complicate your citizenship application and delay eligibility.
Renew Your Green Card If It Is Expiring
If your green card is expired or close to expiring, renew it before traveling internationally. An expired card can cause additional complications when reentering the United States.
Filing for renewal on time helps prevent unnecessary delays or questioning at the port of entry.
The Safest Long-Term Solution: Apply for U.S. Citizenship
If you are eligible to apply for naturalization, becoming a U.S. citizen is the most effective way to avoid:
- Accusations of abandoning residency
- Reentry complications
- Continuous residence issues
- Travel restrictions
U.S. citizens cannot lose their status simply by traveling abroad for extended periods.
If you qualify, applying for citizenship can eliminate many of the risks that green card holders currently face.
Key Takeaways for Green Card Holders
Before traveling outside the U.S.:
- If you plan to stay abroad for 1 year or more, file Form I-131 for a reentry permit.
- Maintain strong ties to the United States.
- Avoid extended or repeated long absences.
- Renew your green card if it is expiring.
- If eligible, consider applying for U.S. citizenship to protect your status permanently.
With enforcement increasing and scrutiny at ports of entry becoming more common, careful planning before international travel is more important than ever.
