Bluegrass Lass

Hey all,

I wasn't sure if this has been asked before, but Scott and I were wondering if he had to carry his PR card with him at all times (like his drivers license)? Does a PR need to be able to prove his/her residency at a moment's notice - i.e. if he/she gets pulled over for speeding can the cop ask for proof of residency - or can he be allowed to show proof later?

I'm asking cuz I'm worried at having Scott carry his around all the time in his wallet. What if he loses the wallet or it gets stolen ya know? They say don't carry your SS card with you, just wondering if one could say the same about the PR card.

Ciao,
~J

HunterGreen

AFAIK they're not allowed to ask this.

Elaine

Noorah101

Yep, I second that.

Rene

half-pint

I just carry my DL, I figured I had to show my PR card in order to get that so I need not bother carrying my Pr card around, it should be on the system somewhere.

As long as I know where it is, in a safe place, that's all you need.

Ellie

SecretGarden

Hi Jamie,
If I remember correctly there was a statement about this on that little cardboard folder-thingy that contained Mr. P's card. I don't think they are required to carry it at all times. Mr. P. has not been carrying his, and I was thinking of sticking it in the safe deposit box anyway. Do you have the folder handy?

~SecretGarden
P.S. Have you seen Scott's face as a tiny hologram on the back?

britchicknyc

Yep I have one of those.....

I do carry mine around, like my DR in my purse. Like a DR and credit cards etc, it can be replaced.

SecretGarden

Hi,
From uscis.gov

Permanent Resident Card
The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is issued to all Permanent Residents as evidence of alien registration and their permanent status in the US. The card must be in your possession at all times. While that does not require that you have on your person at all times, it does require that you have a currently valid card and that you know where it is and can show it to an immigration officer, if requested. The Permanent Resident Card currently is issued with a 10-year validity. You status as a Permanent Resident does not expire with the 10-year validity. Only the card expires. The card is only valid up to the expiration date and must be renewed before it expires.


So, ya don't have to carry it with you, but you are expected to pull it out of thin air if they ask for it.

In further reading it does say to make sure you have it on you if you have travelled out of the US as you would be required to show it at re-entry. So, tell Scott to take it out of his wallet. I hear that they are a pain to replace if they get lost!

~SecretGarden

Sophie T

"sunflwrgrl13" <member16206@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
    > Hey all,
    > I wasn't sure if this has been asked before, but Scott and I were
    > wondering if he had to carry his PR card with him at all times (like
    > his drivers license)? Does a PR need to be able to prove his/her
    > residency at a moment's notice - i.e. if he/she gets pulled over for
    > speeding can the cop ask for proof of residency - or can he be allowed
    > to show proof later?
    > I'm asking cuz I'm worried at having Scott carry his around all the time
    > in his wallet. What if he loses the wallet or it gets stolen ya know?
    > They say don't carry your SS card with you, just wondering if one could
    > say the same about the PR card.
    > Ciao,
    > ~J
    > --

The "welcome" letter my husband received said that the permanent resident
card must be carried at all times if you are over the age of 18. It said it
was the law. I don't know who has the authority to actually ASK to see it
though. I'm sure someone else will know for sure.

SecretGarden

But then there is also this.............

Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that, "Every alien in the United States shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations." It also states, "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. Any alien who fails to comply with [these] provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

So, as usual, there appears to be contradicting information regarding requirements. Probably a safer bet to trust what the Act says rather than the website.

~SecretGarden
~(looking for that safe deposit box key.....)

Bluegrass Lass

Muchas gracias, senorita! I was trying to find that on their website, and I must have been blind not to see it. He hasn't been carrying it with him at all (that's what I prefer) because I thought the chances of losing it too high. We'll be putting that into fireproof safe as soon as we get one.

~J

PS: Nope, I haven't looked close enough at his card to see his hologram.

SecretGarden

Take a look at my other response to you, above yours.

~SG

Bluegrass Lass

Damn, just read it...can't they make up their friggin minds Which is it?? Do they carry it or not?!?! Can any resident attorneys clear this up for us please?...Where's Rete when we need her,eh?

Folinskyinla

Hi:

Look up section 264 of the Immigration & Nationality Act -- he has to personally carry it and have it in his possession at all times. It is a misdemanor not to carry it [BTW, this is not a "strict liability" offense -- if your wallet gets stolen, the law allows you to get replacements -- when I was robbed some years back, I drove to DMV to get my replacement driver's license -- the LAPD detective gave me a card for the incident report just in case.]

Do keep a photocopy around.

SecretGarden

Thank you, sir! And to all others who pointed us in the right direction.

~SecretGarden

Rete

Jim also carried his at all times, along with his social security card, etc.

Thankfully he doesn't carry his naturalization certificate with him.