A few months ago, the Trump administration sent out a clear warning to green card holders. Legal permanent residents who live outside the United States or stay abroad for more than six months could be seen as having “abandoned” their US residency. That could mean losing their legal status altogether. The message has caused anxiety among many immigrants, especially those who regularly travel in and out of the country.
The Trump administration is preparing to tighten the screws further on immigration in 2026. Legal immigration will be reduced, deportations are set to increase, and hiring of H-1B visa holders will become harder and more expensive. According to estimates by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the Trump admin has already reduced the projected level of legal immigration by more than 600,000 people during the president’s second term.
US begins tracking who leaves — and how often
US Customs and Border Protection has now started closely tracking non-citizens as they leave the country. Using biometrics and other technology, officials are documenting how often people exit the US and how long they stay away. This tighter monitoring has made the warning feel very real for many green card holders.
In Tijuana, located in the northwesternmost tip of Mexico, directly bordering San Diego, California, the impact is already visible. Many American citizens and legal permanent residents had been living just across the border to benefit from lower housing costs. Now, many of them are moving back to the US out of fear that staying in Mexico too long could cost them their green cards.
“We have seen a reduction in occupancy as American citizens and legal residents are returning to the United States. This is lowering rent prices in Baja,” said Dulce Belén Reynoso Reyes, president of the Mexican Association of Real Estate Agents in Tijuana, speaking to The Border Report.
Reynoso Reyes said many residents feel they have little choice but to leave Mexico, even though rent prices in the US are far higher. She explained that the fear of losing legal status is pushing people to make difficult decisions. “Many are wary of losing their legal status in the US and feel forced to leave Mexico despite exorbitantly higher rent prices north of the border,” she said.
Green card travel rules: What happens if you stay outside the US too long
Under current policy, a long stay abroad does not cancel a green card on its own. However, it now acts like a trigger that brings intense scrutiny from US border officials.
If a green card holder stays outside the US for more than 180 days, they are no longer treated as a routine “returning resident.” Instead, they can be handled as someone seeking “new admission” to the country.
This change gives US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers the power to question the person as if they are applying for entry all over again. Officers can ask detailed questions about where the person really lives and whether they still consider the US their permanent home.
Since mid-2025, there have been growing reports of CBP officers conducting more secondary inspections at US airports. During these checks, officers are looking for signs that a person may have abandoned their US residency. This includes whether the traveller still files US tax returns, keeps a physical home in the US, or has a job or business based in the country.
Legally, staying outside the US for more than one year without a reentry permit is still the point at which the government assumes a green card has been abandoned.
What if your trip abroad lasts longer than 1 year?
For those who must stay outside the US for more than six months, experts strongly recommend planning ahead. Applying for a reentry permit before leaving the US is seen as one of the safest steps. The permit acts as official proof that the person intends to return and keep their permanent residency.
According to USCIS, “If you plan on being absent from the United States for longer than a year, it is advisable to first apply for a reentry permit on Form I-131. Obtaining a reentry permit prior to leaving the United States allows a permanent or conditional permanent resident to apply for admission into the United States during the permit’s validity without the need to obtain a returning resident visa from a US Embassy or Consulate abroad. Please note that it does not guarantee entry into the United States upon your return, as you must first be determined to be admissible; however, it will assist you in establishing your intention to permanently reside in the United States.”