New Rules For Green Card Holders - DUI, Speeding, Taxes and Travel !!

DUI Driving Under the Influence [1:55]

• A single DUI conviction is now a primary reason for green card holders being detained at the airport and facing potential inadmissibility.
• The implication is that even a DUI from 20 years ago can lead to detention and being sent to a holding facility.
• Under new policies, one single DUI can render non-citizens inadmissible, meaning they can be denied entry and detained upon returning to the country.
• While a DUI does not automatically make a green card holder deportable for living in the U.S., it significantly impacts re-entry and potential citizenship applications.
• Legislation (HR875) is being introduced to make this policy permanent.
• Current CBP policy suggests that a single DUI, regardless of when it occurred, warrants avoiding international travel as a green card holder.
• A USCIS memo from August 2025 suggests that two DUIs will presume a lack of good moral character for citizenship.
• Even one DUI can trigger a review under new good moral character policies, requiring more evidence for citizenship eligibility.
• If a green card holder has one or more DUIs within the 5-year statutory period before applying for citizenship, they must be very careful and consult an attorney.
• The concern is that a DUI could even impact the green card itself during an interview.
• For those applying for naturalization, DUIs complicate the process, lead to further review, and could result in being deemed a person lacking good moral character.
• For those applying for adjustment of status without a green card yet, a DUI can also be an issue.
• It is crucial to consult with both an immigration attorney and a criminal attorney before pleading to any DUI charges.

Under this new policy, one single DUI renders non-citizens inadmissible. Which means if you leave the country and you come back, they have the right to not only not let you in but also detain you.

The concern is that if you go into that interview, it may even impact your green card.

Speeding Tickets [4:54]

• The August 2025 memo on good moral character now requires disclosure of all speeding tickets.
• This specifically applies to individuals with multiple or excessive tickets, signaling a pattern.
• Three or more speeding tickets can indicate a pattern to USCIS, potentially deeming someone a person of bad moral character who may not qualify for citizenship.
• This pattern can also suggest a disregard for the law, impacting eligibility for U.S. citizenship.
• The memo expanded discretion, allowing officers to view multiple speeding tickets (e.g., three, four, five, or even ten) as a sign of irresponsibility and a lack of good moral character.
• Clients applying for citizenship now need to prove good moral character, even if past incidents like speeding tickets occurred many years ago.
• Individuals will need to provide documents to demonstrate they are responsible and no longer exhibit such behavior.
• Speeding tickets are unlikely to impact green card renewal or actions within the U.S.
• However, when traveling, a large number of violations, especially unpaid tickets leading to a warrant, could cause problems, potentially leading to inadmissibility or secondary inspection.
• It is advised to resolve outstanding speeding tickets.
• When applying for citizenship, green card holders will need specific documents to explain past speeding tickets and demonstrate their current responsible character.
• This is a new enforcement area, with policies starting to be enforced in October.

Three or more speeding tickets can signal some kind of a pattern for USCIS, which means that you could be potentially a person of bad moral character and you may not qualify for citizenship.

It will be on you to prove to them that that's how these speeding tickets are going to be impacting green card holders.

Not Paying Taxes [7:54]

• Omitting to pay taxes or failing to meet tax obligations can be a problem for citizenship applications.
• The severity depends on the individual's relationship with the IRS, including any orders or judgments against them.
• Individuals have been flagged during travel for IRS issues, as the IRS reports violations to other government agencies, including CBP.
• Being behind on payments or not making payment plans could impact travel and, specifically, citizenship applications.
• This falls under the "good moral character" assessment, questioning an individual's responsibility and fulfillment of obligations.

All these things are going to come into play.

Spending Too Much Time Abroad [8:47]

• Spending over a year abroad as a green card holder is now a significant flag.
• Upon re-entry, officers check travel history, place of residence, and intentions to return.
• Green card holders are reporting officers questioning their primary address and intentions.
• If travel is extended, officers may pressure applicants to surrender their green cards by signing Form I-417, which should never be signed.
• The system tracks time spent outside the U.S., and providing incorrect verbal information can lead to secondary inspection and charges of misrepresentation or fraud.
• Diligence in tracking time abroad is crucial.
• Even with a re-entry permit, officers question residency, intentions, and the permit's application reason.
• Extensive travel abroad will flag individuals in the system, leading to secondary inspection.
• Applying for a re-entry permit is advisable when possible.

They have a way in their system to know how long you've been outside the United States.

Speaking Against the Government [10:12]

• Green card holders who speak against the government, particularly on social media with extreme opinions, are being monitored.
• Technology exists to track such activities, which are cross-referenced when individuals travel or apply for citizenship.
• These statements, including photos from protests, can remain on record and be difficult to clear.
• This information can negatively impact travel and citizenship applications.

They are watching they will be monitoring this they'll be bringing up this especially when you travel especially when you apply for citizenship.