A Customs and Border Protection officer stood at the agency’s booth during a job fair held at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Orlando, Florida, on July 10. AP
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a clear warning. Green card holders must always carry proof of their immigration status. This is not a suggestion—it is a law.
CBP said in a post, “Always carry your alien registration documentation. Not having these when stopped by federal law enforcement can lead to a misdemeanor and fines.”
Why This Warning Matters
This reminder comes at a serious time. The US government has plans to remove millions of undocumented immigrants. The administration has said all people in the country illegally are breaking the law.
Even green card holders and visa holders have been detained in recent immigration raids. Many of them had valid documents. Yet they still ended up being questioned or held.
The Law Behind This Rule
The law that requires noncitizens to carry their documents is not new. It comes from Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If a person does not carry their green card, they could be charged with a federal crime.
There are about 12.8 million people living in the US as legal permanent residents. Every one of them must follow this rule.
You Could Lose Your Green Card
The US immigration agency warns that failing to carry required documents may lead to serious trouble. Not only could someone be fined, but they could also lose their green card. In some cases, they might even be removed from the US.
If someone is stopped by federal officers, they have rights. They do not have to answer questions without a lawyer. But they do need to show proof of status if asked.
New Fees Add More Pressure
There is more news for green card applicants. A new fee of $1,050 now applies to some forms that used to be free during immigration court cases.
This includes Form I-131 (for travel permits) and Form I-765 (for work permits). These added costs make it harder for people already struggling with legal and financial pressure.
What Officials Are Saying
CBP said: “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him.”
The message is clear: if you are not a US citizen, carry your paperwork with you every day.
