As someone born in another nation who wants to move to Texas or another part of the United States permanently, you need to obtain a green card if you wish to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization. Securing a green card is an important part of the immigration process. However, there are certain things you might do that may place your green card at risk once you have it.
Per the Miami Herald, the following mistakes have the potential to cost you your green card.
1. Failing to declare income
As a green card holder and someone who makes money in the United States, you have to file an income tax return each year to the IRS. Failing to do so at all, or failing to declare all the income you earned, has the potential to place your green card in jeopardy.
2. Taking lengthy trips abroad
You also want to avoid taking long trips to another country once you have your green card. Any international trips you take must be short in duration. If you stay abroad for longer than a year, this leads to the automatic cancellation of your green card.
3. Declaring nonimmigrant status when filing taxes
While filing your taxes is an important part of keeping your green card, so, too, is filing them in the right manner. Declaring nonimmigrant status when you file your taxes may place your green card in jeopardy.
If you make any of these errors, intentionally or otherwise, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may believe you are abandoning your permanent residency status in doing so.
