Ongoing immigration raids targeting undocumented immigrants are prompting Korean Americans with legal status to carry proof of status. The green card carry requirement is driving some to keep a green card or citizenship certificate on them at all times amid heightened checks and enforcement reminders from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued on July 23, 2025.
“These days, even lawful permanent residents with DUI or minor misdemeanors often ask whether they can travel to Korea or abroad,” said Dave Noh. “Since the Trump administration took office, immigration law enforcement has tightened, and related inquiries have increased significantly.”
A Los Angeles worker identified as Mr. Kim said, “For the first time since getting permanent residency, I carry my original green card with my driver’s license.” He added, “To avoid getting caught up in any trouble, my whole family carries our cards for safety.”
On July 23, 2025, CBP reminded that all foreign nationals aged 18 or older must always carry a Form I-551 (green card) or an alien registration card, warning that failure to present it during a law-enforcement stop can result in a misdemeanor and fines. The rule is not new: under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 264(d), failing to carry a green card is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $100 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both. “The obligation to carry a green card did not arise because of stricter enforcement; it has always been set by law,” said Junghoon Song. “Foreign nationals aged 18 or older must present it when requested by law enforcement.”
Legal professionals advise that non-citizens, such as international students, may print their I-94 record and carry a copy as proof of status. On social media, videos urge students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) to carry their work permits. Some naturalized citizens are carrying a citizenship certificate as well. In Orange County, another Mr. Kim said, “I keep my citizenship certificate in the car just in case.” He added that news reports of citizens being arrested during immigration raids led him to carry proof to show he is a citizen if needed.
At airports, some green card holders have been turned away. Data from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) show that **from February–June 2025, CBP deemed 1,484 green card holders inadmissible at U.S. ports of entry. Lawful permanent residents are, in legal terms, “lawful permanent resident aliens.” The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) warns that violating legal requirements can lead to loss of status and removal. Attorneys advise complying with the green card carry requirement and seeking case-specific guidance if there are criminal records or other status concerns.
On Aug. 8, 2025, the Trump administration urgently petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend a federal judge’s order that barred indiscriminate immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area based on race, language, or occupation.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
