Fact-Check: "Green Card Holders must carry their Alien Registration Document along with their Passport ALL THE TIME"
What We Know
The claim that "Green Card Holders must carry their Alien Registration Document along with their Passport ALL THE TIME" is partially accurate. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), lawful permanent residents (LPRs), commonly known as green card holders, are required to carry their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) at all times. This requirement is part of the broader alien registration obligations outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Furthermore, a recent Federal Register document indicates that a new rule, effective April 11, 2025, mandates that green card holders must carry their original Permanent Resident Card. The document emphasizes that copies or photos of the card are not acceptable for compliance with this regulation.
However, while it is essential for green card holders to carry their Permanent Resident Card, they are not explicitly required to carry their passport at all times. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) states that LPRs do not need a passport to re-enter the United States, although they may need one for international travel.
Analysis
The evidence supports the claim that green card holders must carry their Alien Registration Document (the Permanent Resident Card) at all times, as mandated by the new regulation from the Department of Homeland Security. This regulation is a formalization of existing requirements under the INA, which has historically required alien registration and documentation for lawful residents.
However, the assertion that they must carry their passport "ALL THE TIME" is misleading. The Washington University notes that while individuals entering the U.S. must have valid documentation, the requirement for LPRs to carry a passport is not universal. Instead, a passport is typically necessary for international travel rather than domestic identification purposes.
The source reliability is high for the USCIS and Federal Register documents, as they are official government publications. However, the interpretation of the requirement to carry a passport varies, and some sources may reflect a misunderstanding or overgeneralization of the regulations.
Conclusion
The claim that "Green Card Holders must carry their Alien Registration Document along with their Passport ALL THE TIME" is Partially True. Green card holders are indeed required to carry their Permanent Resident Card at all times, as per the new regulation. However, the necessity to carry a passport at all times is not mandated for domestic purposes, making the claim misleading in that regard.
Sources
- Alien Registration Requirement
- Understanding "Alien Registration" Requirements
- Documents needed for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
- Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration
- Form I-9 Acceptable Documents
- For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents
- Green card holders must carry ID under new US directive
- Always Carry Your Papers: Understanding the Alien Registration Requirement
