Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)

Your Rights As A Permanent Resident

As a permanent resident (green card holder), you have the right to:

• Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
• Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing. (Please note that some jobs will be limited to U.S. citizens for security reasons)
• Be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions

Your Responsibilities as a Permanent Resident

As a permanent resident, you are:

• Required to obey all laws of the United States the states, and localities 
• Required to file your income tax returns and report your income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities (see IRS link to the right)
• Expected to support the democratic form of government and not to change the government through illegal means
• Required, if you are a male age 18 through 25, to register with the Selective Service

For important information about “Maintaining Permanent Residence,” “Voting as a Permanent Resident” and “International Travel as a Permanent Resident” see the links to the left.