Post Deployment Immigration FAQs

Life in the USA

Arrival

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We have included the most frequently asked questions regarding your legal status in the US after your arrival at your worksite location. Please read this document carefully and if you have any other questions, please contact your IES.

Immigration FAQs Post-Arrival to the US

Do I need to carry my green card with me at all times?

Yes. Per US laws, lawful permanent residence must carry their green card with them at all times.

What impact does the new administration have on my green card?

At this time, there is no new impact on your green card. We are closely monitoring all changes and will notify you if any change has an impact to you or your visa.

A registration requirement has always applied to children who enter the US as green card holders before the age of 14—when the child turns 14, they must file Form I-90 to register and supply biometrics in the United States. This process will result in their being granted a new ten-year green card at the age of 14.

Male green card holders aged 18-26must register for Selective Service at https://www.sss.gov/.

What impact does the new administration have on my H1B visa?

At this time, there is no impact on your H-1B visa. We are closely monitoring all changes and will notify you if any change has an impact to you or your visa.

Can I leave the country to visit family?

It is acceptable to travel with a valid a H1B visa or with your green card, but please be aware that there could be travel restrictions in the future. Contact your IES before planning a trip. You will need to carry your valid passport and green card. If your travel outside of the US is greater than six months, please let your IES know.

Will my family be able to obtain their green card which is currently in process?

If your family did not attend the embassy interview with you, and are wishing to continue their process now, they may do so by reaching out to the embassy to reopen the case. Your priority date must be current in order for the embassy to reopen the case.

What do I do if I am stopped by an ICE officer at a public place? At work? At my home?

Below are resources available from the American Immigration Lawyers Association:

Can my green card be revoked?

It is possible to have a green card revoked. Grounds for revocation of your green card include criminal activity, fraud, and failure to meet residency requirements. Failure to meet the residency requirement includes living outside of the US for greater than a year without filing the proper paperwork (i.e., filing and receiving a re-entry permit).

Can my H-1B visa be revoked?

An H-1B visa can be revoked for various reasons mainly around failure to adhere to the requirements of the visa program, including providing fraudulent information or documents, not working in compliance to the H-1B petition (worksite, role, pay) and failure to notify USCIS of any changes. Visas can also be revoked and cause serious issues for future international travel based on criminal activity, including DUI arrests and/or convictions.

Who do I contact for additional questions?

If you have additional questions, please let your IES know, and they will connect you with our immigration attorney to provide responses.

I haven’t received my green card yet, can I travel outside the country?

Yes, it is possible to travel outside of the US prior to receiving your green card. When you entered the US, CBP should have stamped your passport. That stamp, along with the immigrant visa in your passport serves as the I-551 stamp that shows your temporary status of lawful permanent residency for one year from the date of your entry stamp. As long as that stamp is still valid during the entirety of your travel and return to the US, you may travel outside of the US while waiting for your physical green card. If you do not have a stamp in your passport, it is expired, or you have been waiting greater than 90 days for your green card, please let us know.

What if I am delayed at immigration when traveling back from my country?

Secondary inspection is a standard process for many travelers, and it may happen during your return to the U.S. The purpose of this process is to verify documentation and to provide additional details regarding your trip. It is important that you provide answers to the questions and that you have all your documents readily available and in good order. 

Do I need to notify USCIS if I change my address?

Yes, you must inform the government of this move (even if you move to the apartment across the hall) by completing Form AR-11 within 10 days of moving. This form can be completed online at the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11 USCIS recommends that you do this through your personal My.USCIS.gov account. Creating this account will make it easier to make address changes and file/track future immigration applications, like your future application for US citizenship!

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