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The legal obligation to carry the physical green card returned to the center of the U.S. immigration debate in 2025 and remains strictly enforced in 2026. The rule is not new, but its practical enforcement had grown lax in recent decades. Recent cases in cities like Chicago reignited the discussion and required lawful permanent residents to resume a habit many had abandoned: carrying their permanent resident card every day, everywhere.
The Legal Basis for the Requirement
The requirement is established in Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), codified at 8 U.S.C. §1304(e). The statute requires that every alien 18 years of age or older who has been issued an alien registration receipt card must carry that document at all times. The card referenced by the law is the Form I-551, commonly known as the green card, or its current equivalent.
The rule applies exclusively to lawful permanent residents who are adults. Minors under 18 are not subject to the same requirement, although parents and guardians are advised to keep their children’s documents readily available when traveling or interacting with federal authorities.
The historical rationale for the rule is to allow federal agents to quickly verify the immigration status of any person they encounter. Authenticated copies, photographs of the document, or digital versions stored on a phone do not substitute the original card for purposes of legal compliance.
Penalties Under the Law
Federal law provides for a fine of up to $100 and detention of up to 30 days for a permanent resident who is stopped and not carrying their green card. The penalty may also involve both measures cumulatively, at the discretion of the competent authority and the immigration court.
Additionally, supplemental amounts may be charged as local processing fees. In a widely reported case in Chicago in the second half of 2025, a resident was fined $130 — a total combining the federal penalty with administrative fees. The consolidation of this type of enforcement demonstrates that application of the rule is no longer merely theoretical.
Who Must Comply
The requirement applies to two main groups:
- Lawful permanent residents holding a green card (Form I-551)
- Foreign nationals 18 years of age or older with an equivalent alien registration certificate, including those in conditional status (CR-1, conditional EB-5)
For Brazilians living legally in the United States as permanent residents, the rule has no exceptions. The physical document must be on the cardholder’s person in everyday situations — including short trips, leisure activities, and professional engagements. There is no legal authorization to replace the original with digital images, scans, or laminated copies.
What to Do If the Card Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged
When a green card is lost, stolen, damaged, or contains outdated information, the resident must immediately begin the replacement process through Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card). The application can be filed online through the myUSCIS portal or in paper form by mail.
During the period between the loss and the issuance of the new card, the resident may request a temporary stamp (ADIT stamp or I-551 stamp) in their passport by scheduling an in-person appointment at a USCIS Field Office. This stamp serves as temporary proof of permanent resident status and substitutes the card for purposes of complying with the document-carrying requirement.
Average processing time for Form I-90 in 2026 ranges from 8 to 14 months, depending on the responsible service center. For this reason, it is strongly recommended never to delay filing after any incident that compromises the card’s integrity or availability.
Updating Your Address with USCIS
The obligation to carry the card goes hand in hand with another frequently overlooked requirement: notifying USCIS of an address change. Permanent residents must inform USCIS of their new address within ten days of moving, using Form AR-11 or the online address update service.
Failure to comply with this obligation, set forth in Section 265 of the INA, can have more serious consequences than failing to carry the card, including the possibility of being found removable in specific circumstances. The combination of an up-to-date card, correct address, and consistent registration information forms the basic triad of good-faith documentary compliance for any permanent resident.
Practical Recommendations for Daily Life
Given the resumption of enforcement, certain precautions become essential:
- Carry the original green card on all outings, even for short trips
- Check the card’s expiration date and begin renewal six months before it expires
- Keep your address updated with USCIS within ten days of any change
- Store a digital copy of the card in a secure location as an informational backup — never as a substitute
- In the event of immediate loss, file a police report and submit Form I-90 without delay
The renewed enforcement of a long-standing rule reflects a broader trend in U.S. immigration policy: the reinforcement of everyday obligations that were historically overlooked. For permanent residents, compliance with these basic requirements has shifted from being a dispensable formality to representing a layer of protection against administrative and legal complications.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
