Being the owner of a green card in New Jersey carries with it certain responsibilities. It will be up to you to make sure that your card is with you at all times. All permanent residents over the age of 18 must have their green card to show to authorities if this is requested. The penalty for not having a valid green card can be a fine and time in jail.
There are some exceptions to the rule
Under the terms of current immigration law, some newly arrived immigrants may have to wait several weeks to receive their permanent green card. If this is the case, you are exempt from the requirement to have your card with you. In this situation, you can carry your passport with the “I-551 stamp”. This will be enough to prove your status as a permanent resident.
If you have lost your green card or had it stolen from you, you will likewise not have a card to carry with you. If this should occur, you can keep on your person a copy of the I-797C, Notice of Action. This is the notice you will receive as proof of that you have filed for Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
Penalties for not having your green card
There are many myths that surround the immigration process. One of them is that a permanent resident does not need to keep their green card on them at all times. This is a myth that can lead to serious consequences.
It’s usually quite unlikely that a police or immigration officer will ask to see your green card. However, if they do and you don’t have it on your person, you can face a fine of $100 and up to 30 days in jail.
