Legal experts advise on what to prepare for US green card, visa holders amid immigration crackdown

As U.S. immigration policies tighten, particularly following U.S. Vice President JD Vance's statement that "A green card does not give an individual an indefinite right to stay in the United States," those holding green cards, H-1B work visas, and F-1 student visas are facing increased scrutiny, especially when re-entering the U.S. from abroad.

Legal experts said anyone planning to travel outside the U.S. should be prepared for potential delays, documentation reviews, and extended questioning when returning. Agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are conducting thorough checks on individuals leaving or entering the U.S.

According to New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV), legal experts advise those holding a green card, H-1B, or F-1 visa to have the following papers ready:

- A valid passport from home country

- A green card (Form I-551) that is up to date and not expired. Green card holders should ensure that their cards and visas are renewed well before their expiration dates.

- A valid and unexpired H-1B or F-1 visa that permits multiple entries into the U.S.

- If applicable, a U.S. Re-Entry Permit if traveling abroad for over a year but less than two years

- An employment verification letter

- The W-2 form and proof of payment of federal income tax for the previous year

- Recent payslips or salary slips for the last three months

- (For students) A letter from one's college or university stating duration of study.

- Documentation for at least one primary U.S. bank account.

- A valid U.S. driving license.

When returning to the U.S., especially after an extended stay abroad, travelers should be prepared for detailed questioning and longer inspections that can take several hours, especially if the traveler has been outside the U.S. for more than six months, experts told NDTV.

Travelers are advised to stay calm and cooperative during these procedures to avoid further complications.

Jaclyn Kelley-Widmer, an immigration law professor at Cornell Law School, told AP that lawful permanent residents generally have robust protections and "should be the most protected short of a U.S. citizen."

However, Kelley-Widmer emphasized that protection is not absolute; green card holders can be deported for crimes, failure to update addresses with immigration authorities, or fraudulent marriages.

Speaking to CNN, immigration lawyer LaToya McBean Pompy, who is based in New York, said green card holders should not stay outside the U.S. longer than six months. If they do, she says, it is possible for the U.S. government "to allege that they have abandoned their residency."

Additionally, she recommends that green card holders facing deportation proceedings avoid traveling. She also advises clients against signing any documents at the airport, particularly if they do not fully understand the contents.