Green Card holders warned to always carry proof of status amid Trump's crackdown on immigrants

Green Card holders across the United States have been issued a stark reminder by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to always carry proof of their immigration status, or face potential legal consequences.

In a notification, the CBP stated, “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 agency warned, “Failing to do so can lead to a misdemeanor and fines if you are stopped by federal law enforcement. If you are a non-citizen,



please follow the laws of the United States of America.”

The reminder is grounded in Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes it a federal offense for noncitizens to fail to carry their registration documents. This requirement includes lawful permanent residents, commonly referred to as Green Card holders, even those who have lived in the US for many years.

While the rule is longstanding, its renewed emphasis comes amid concerns over a potential crackdown on immigration, especially following former President Donald Trump's renewed calls for mass deportations if re-elected.