The US Nurse – Maintaining Status as an Immigrant

When you have arrived in the USA and have taken up your US nursing job it is advisable to be aware of a number of things whereby your status as an immigrant remains intact.

1) The US Legal System – comply with US laws
Compliance with federal, state and local laws is required of all holders of the green card.
This is of curse the same as if you were a citizen of the USA however if you are found to be in contravention of the law then one risks losing immigrant status, you may incur a fine and could conceivably be deported. Indeed if certain, serious crimes are committed then you will not be able to apply for citizenship and may be immediately deported from the country.

Also when entering the USA it is mandatory to register for the Social Security card and 18 to 26 year old males are required to register for Selective Service. Finally, if you move address then the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must be advised within 10 days of the move

2) Travelling Outside the USA
As a US Nurse and legal permanent resident one is allowed to travel outside the USA however if your trip involves staying outside the country for more than 12 months then your status may become compromised. This is because the permanent resident card becomes invalid. To avoid this eventuality a re-entry permit should be applied for and this is facilitated when an Application for Travel Document is filed.
For twenty four months following the date of issue you are able to re-enter the USA.

The consequences of not applying for the re-entry permit and/or you are outside the country for two years, are that a returning resident visa has to be filed and, if resident status has been abandoned, you may have to appear before an immigration judge. If in doubt then it is advisable to seek legal guidance from an immigration attorney

3) US Taxes
Permanent legal residents and US citizens are required to file and pay income taxes. Failing to do so may be considered to be out of status. Filing is required even if the US nurse is out of the country at the ‘filing time’. Furthermore, filing the tax return as a non-immigrant will be considered to have relinquished your permanent residency status

4) The Permanent Resident Card
A Permanent Resident Card usually expires after ten years and if a US nurse holds has the status of a conditional resident then the card must be renewed after two years.
Should the card be received before the age of 14 then the card must be replaced after the 14th birthday.
To maintain status all cards must be renewed before their expiration date

Also the USCIS must be advised if your address, name or other details change. One must apply for a replacement card if the original card is stolen, lost or damaged. A US nurse is required to keep the alien registration card available at all times.
It proves that you are legally in the United States.

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