After President Trump returned to the White House, America's immigration policy has been comprehensively tightened, especially with stricter supervision of green card holders' entry and exit. Recently, a Chinese couple holding green cards who returned to the U.S. from China were warned by customs at Los Angeles International Airport that they had been gone for too long, mistakenly believing their green cards had been revoked and were so frightened that they immediately called an immigration lawyer for help.
According to immigration lawyers in Southern California, this couple went to China to visit relatives last month for three weeks but encountered strict checks upon returning to the U.S. They were required to explain the cash they carried, stating that each person carried $9,000, totaling $18,000, and were then asked to fill out a declaration form. Subsequently, a customs officer sternly warned them: "You've been away for too long, you'd better not frequently leave the country."
Because the process was complicated and they did not receive a copy, the couple was emotionally tense, worried that there might be abnormalities or even revocation of their green cards, and immediately called a lawyer for emergency consultation.
Problem One: Exceeding the Declaration Amount
U.S. law stipulates that anyone carrying more than $10,000 in cash or equivalent financial instruments entering or leaving the United States must proactively declare to customs. This rule applies not only to individuals but also to families or travel groups—this means that the total amount of $18,000 carried by the couple has exceeded the family declaration limit. Even if each person carried less than $10,000, it does not constitute a reason for exemption from declaration.
Problem Two: Sensitive Departure Time
According to CBP regulations, as long as a green card holder has not been continuously absent for more than one year, their status will generally not be affected. However, the couple did not mention their departure time over the past year, only talking about this three-week absence. The departure time is usually traced back over the past year.
Of course, under the high-pressure immigration enforcement background of the Trump administration, customs officials pay particular attention to green card holders who frequently leave the country, especially those who stay abroad for more than two weeks each time. Although a three-week absence does not constitute a direct violation, it is sufficient to draw special questioning from border personnel.
Problem Three: Language Barriers Can Cause Misunderstandings
Lawyers pointed out that during the entry process, if a traveler's language expression is unclear or they are nervous and irritable, misunderstandings may occur when using translation software, which could lead customs officers to misjudge them as "uncooperative," "emotionally agitated," or "having concealment behavior." Once suspicion is triggered, customs officers have the authority to take the traveler into a "little black room" for further review, or even temporarily detain them.
The experience of this couple is not an isolated case. On April 15th alone, a young man holding a green card who returned from China to Seattle was detained for several days by CBP because he was found to have a traffic violation record (possibly unpaid speeding tickets) in New York. Even after intervention by a New York senator and a legal team, the issue could not be resolved in a short period.
This case drew widespread attention, highlighting the current customs' "zero tolerance" strict policy towards green card holders: anyone with minor violations, administrative fines, or unclear identity documents may be temporarily detained or denied entry upon arrival.
Experts suggest: five key reminders for green card holders to be vigilant
- Cash over $10,000 must be declared: whether it's cash, checks, or traveler's checks, any family total exceeding $10,000 must be truthfully declared, otherwise, there may be fines or confiscation.
- Avoid frequent long-term departures: although regulations allow short-term multiple entries and exits, frequent or single trips exceeding two or three weeks will increase the probability of being "subjected to detailed questioning."
- Understand your own records in advance: if you have had traffic fines, overdue taxes, or criminal/civil litigation records in the U.S., you must consult a lawyer in advance for handling.
- Stay calm and communicate: avoid excitement, shouting, or confusion caused by translation software leading to misunderstandings; if necessary, request customs to arrange a language translator.
- Do not blindly sign documents: if asked to sign English documents, make sure to read the content carefully; if necessary, insist on seeing a lawyer, otherwise, you may unintentionally "waive your rights."
The green card, once considered a "stable status," is now facing stricter review policies under the Trump administration. Immigration lawyers generally remind: the green card is not a "get-out-of-jail-free card," especially under the current stricter immigration enforcement and expanded border enforcement powers, Chinese people should attach great importance to every detail of entry and exit, and consult a lawyer in advance if necessary to prevent unforeseen trouble.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497325650299060788/
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