Once you succeed in getting a green card, that’s not the end of the process. You will need to renew it when required. While renewal is a relatively straightforward process for many people, that’s not a guarantee.
The immigration authorities can reject an application for renewal and with it your right to stay in the U.S. Here are some reasons this could happen.
Doubt over your actual residency
A green card gives you the right to reside in the U.S. However, unlike citizenship, where you can come and go as you please, you must continue to be a resident here. That means paying your taxes here and living here most of the time.
One reason people lose their green card is that they need to go back home for a considerable period to care for a sick relative, which often prolongs their stay more than they initially thought. When they go to renew their green card, the authorities say they have not been in the U.S. enough to retain it.
Doubt over the veracity of your original application
If the immigration authorities convince a court that your original green card application was fraudulent, then you can retroactively lose your permanent residency status. This is true even if many years have passed since you submitted that application.
One reason this might occur is if a genuine marriage, which enabled you to get a green card, quickly ended in divorce. That can cause the authorities to believe that the marriage was not entered into with legitimate intentions.
Missing the renewal date
Life can get busy, and most people forget the odd important date. Your green card renewal is not a date you can afford to forget. If you miss the date, your renewal application will likely be rejected.
Seeking experienced legal guidance well ahead of time gives you a better chance of avoiding or dealing with any issues that could hinder your green card renewal.