U.S. Immigration Lawyers Issue Travel Warning for Green Card Holders
Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler
Having a green card grants lawful permanent residents greater rights than most non-citizens, but it does not make individuals immune from arrest, questioning, or deportation, according to a recent advisory issued by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
AILA, a national bar association representing more than 17,000 immigration attorneys nationwide and globally, warned in its guidance that a routine traffic stop in a high-risk state, a prior criminal conviction, or signing the wrong immigration form can trigger removal proceedings.
Under federal law, all permanent residents aged 18 and older must carry their physical green card (Form I-551) at all times and present it upon request to immigration officers. Failure to produce the card constitutes a federal misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail.
A green card is an accepted identification document by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for domestic flights, meaning a separate REAL ID driver’s license is not required. Travelers may also use a state-issued REAL ID, an enhanced driver’s license, or a valid foreign passport as secondary identification. AILA strongly advises travelers to write their attorney’s phone number on paper rather than relying solely on a mobile device.
Aviation security procedures also carry potential risks for individuals with immigration status issues. TSA shares domestic passenger data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which cross-references traveler information against databases of individuals with final removal orders and dispatches agents to airports to execute arrests. ICE agents maintain an ongoing presence at numerous airports across the country. Green card holders with pending removal orders, outstanding warrants, or criminal histories are advised not to fly without first consulting an attorney.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is consolidating biometric databases across TSA, ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) into a single platform. Following TSA’s expansion of facial recognition to 65 airports in early 2026, passengers retain the right to opt out on domestic flights.
Travelers wishing to opt out should state, “I am opting out of facial recognition. I would like manual ID verification,” and request a supervisor if an agent refuses. However, biometric data obtained during prior lawful entries may remain in federal systems regardless of a domestic opt-out.
AILA highlighted several key risk factors that can jeopardize permanent residency. Older convictions, minor misdemeanors, driving under the influence (DUI) offenses, or plea deals can render an individual deportable. Non-citizens should never accept a criminal plea agreement without consulting an immigration attorney. Travelers passing through high-risk states such as Alabama, Texas, and Florida face heightened risks of immigration detention during routine traffic stops due to localized enforcement laws.
Furthermore, U.S. Border Patrol agents are legally authorized to board buses and trains without a warrant within a 100-mile zone of any U.S. border, a boundary that encompasses entire states such as Florida and Michigan, alongside major portions of California, Texas, Arizona, and New England.
If stopped, questioned, or detained by law enforcement or immigration officials, individuals are advised to remain calm and avoid running, arguing, or physically resisting. While green card holders must present their green card on demand, they should exercise their right to remain silent by stating, “I am exercising my right to remain silent”.
Individuals should request legal counsel by stating, “I want to speak to an attorney,” and refrain from further comment. Travelers are urged never to sign any documents—particularly “Voluntary Departure” forms—as signing permanently waives the right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should not act or rely on any information contained herein without consulting a competent, licensed immigration attorney.