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Green Card Rules in 2026: Essential Do’s and Don’ts for New Lawful Permanent Residents

Becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States is a major milestone. After years of nonimmigrant status, PERM filings, I-140 approvals, priority date backlogs, and consular processing or adjustment of status, you finally have your green card.

But here is the reality many new permanent residents do not fully understand: a green card is permanent, but it is not unconditional. You can lose it. You can delay naturalization. You can create serious problems at the airport.

In 2026, with increased scrutiny at ports of entry and evolving enforcement priorities, it is more important than ever for new LPRs to understand what to do and what to avoid.

This guide breaks down the key dos and don’ts every new permanent resident should follow.

DO: Carry Proof of Your Permanent Resident Status

Once you become an LPR, you are required by law to carry evidence of your status. Typically, that means your Form I-551, also known as your green card.

Why this matters:

  • You may need to present it during employment verification using Form I-9.
  • You may be asked to show it at airports or by immigration officers.
  • Failure to carry proof can technically result in penalties.

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, file Form I-90 immediately to replace it.

DON’T: Abandon Your Residence

This is one of the most common and most dangerous mistakes.

Permanent residence means you intend to live permanently in the United States. If you move abroad or spend extended time outside the U.S., immigration authorities may determine that you have abandoned your status.

Red flags include:

  • Staying outside the U.S. for more than 6 months.
  • Staying outside the U.S. for more than 1 year without a reentry permit.
  • Maintaining a primary home, job, or family abroad.
  • Filing taxes as a nonresident.

Best practice:

  • Avoid trips longer than 6 months whenever possible.
  • If you must be outside the U.S. for close to a year, consult an attorney and consider filing for a reentry permit using Form I-131 before departure.

Abandonment cases are increasingly scrutinized at U.S. ports of entry in 2026.

DO: File U.S. Taxes as a Resident

As an LPR, you are considered a U.S. tax resident under federal law.

You must:

  • File U.S. tax returns annually.
  • Report worldwide income.
  • Avoid filing as a nonresident alien.

Filing as a nonresident can be used as evidence that you do not intend to reside permanently in the United States.

If you have foreign assets, foreign accounts, or complex cross-border issues, consult a qualified tax professional familiar with permanent resident compliance.

DON’T: Commit Crimes

Not all criminal convictions affect permanent residents, but some absolutely do.

Certain crimes can result in:

  • Removal proceedings
  • Inadmissibility after travel
  • Loss of eligibility for naturalization

Particularly serious categories include:

  • Crimes involving moral turpitude
  • Aggravated felonies
  • Drug-related offenses
  • Domestic violence offenses

Even a misdemeanor can have immigration consequences.

If you are arrested, charged, or even considering a plea deal, speak with an immigration attorney before accepting any plea. Criminal defense attorneys do not always analyze immigration consequences properly.

DO: Maintain Continuous Residence for Naturalization

If your goal is U.S. citizenship, understand the naturalization rules early.

Most LPRs can apply for citizenship after:

  • 5 years under the general rule, or
  • 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen.

To qualify, you must:

  • Maintain continuous residence.
  • Be physically present in the U.S. for the required time.
  • Avoid long trips abroad.

Trips over 6 months can disrupt continuous residence. Trips over 1 year almost always break it unless you filed Form N-470 in limited circumstances.

Planning travel strategically now can prevent naturalization delays later.

DON’T: Assume You Can Sponsor Everyone Immediately

Many new permanent residents believe they can immediately sponsor all family members.

As an LPR, you may petition for:

  • Your spouse
  • Your unmarried children

However:

  • You cannot sponsor parents until you become a U.S. citizen.
  • You cannot sponsor married children.
  • You cannot sponsor siblings.

Visa backlogs vary significantly by category and country of birth. For some nationals, family-based wait times may be several years.

DO: Update Your Address with USCIS

All permanent residents must report address changes within 10 days.

You can do this online by filing Form AR-11.

Failing to update your address can:

  • Cause you to miss critical USCIS notices.
  • Create compliance issues.
  • Delay naturalization processing later.

This is a simple step, but one many people forget.

DON’T: Rely on Your Old Nonimmigrant Status

Once you adjust status, your prior visa classification such as H-1B, L-1, or E-2 is no longer your governing status.

You are now a permanent resident.

This means:

  • You are no longer tied to a sponsoring employer unless conditional or employment-based conditions apply.
  • You do not need H-1B extensions.
  • You are not limited by visa expiration dates.

However, if you obtained residence through marriage and received a conditional green card, you must file Form I-751 to remove conditions within the 90-day window before expiration.

Failure to file Form I-751 on time can result in termination of status.

DO: Keep Records of Your Immigration History

Maintain copies of:

  • Your I-140 approval notice if employment-based.
  • Adjustment of status approval.
  • Immigrant visa packet if consular processed.
  • Entry stamps.
  • Travel history.

These documents can be critical for:

  • Naturalization.
  • Replacement card applications.
  • Addressing future immigration questions.
  • Responding to unexpected inquiries at the border.

In 2026, digital record inconsistencies are not uncommon. Having your own copies is essential.

DON’T: Ignore Selective Service Requirements

If you are male and between ages 18 and 25, you must register for Selective Service.

Failure to register can negatively impact future naturalization eligibility. USCIS reviews this carefully during citizenship applications.

DO: Consider Applying for U.S. Citizenship When Eligible

While permanent residence is valuable, U.S. citizenship provides stronger protection.

Benefits include:

  • No risk of abandonment.
  • Ability to sponsor additional family members.
  • Voting rights.
  • U.S. passport protection.
  • Protection from deportation in most circumstances.

In the current immigration climate, many long-term residents are choosing to naturalize sooner rather than later.

Final Thoughts: Protect What You Worked So Hard to Obtain

Becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident is not the end of your immigration journey. It is a new phase.

To protect your green card in 2026:

  • Live primarily in the United States.
  • File taxes properly.
  • Avoid criminal issues.
  • Track your travel carefully.
  • Update USCIS when required.
  • Plan strategically for naturalization.

Small mistakes can have serious consequences. But with awareness and proactive planning, you can safeguard your status and build long-term stability in the United States.

Your green card represents years of effort. Treat it accordingly.

By: Felipe Jimenez

Felipe Jimenez is an Associate Attorney at Reddy Neumann Brown PC. He works in the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Department where he assists clients through all phases of the non-immigrant visa process.

Reddy Neumann Brown PC has been serving the business community for over 20 years and is Houston’s largest immigration law firm focused solely on US. Employment-based immigration. We work with both employers and their employees, helping them navigate the immigration process quickly and cost-effectively.