Green Card Realities

Derek Lawson

Alright, welcome back to The Immigration Conversation. I’m Derek Lawson, and as always, I’m here with Ruby Sturt. Today’s episode is all about the realities of green cards—what actually happens after your priority date becomes current, and, well, all the stuff nobody tells you about the wait.

Ruby Sturt

Hey everyone! I’m Ruby, and I gotta say, this is the episode I wish my cousin had before she started her green card journey. So, Derek, let’s kick it off—what’s the real deal when your priority date finally becomes current? People think it’s like, “Congrats, here’s your card!” but it’s not that simple, is it?

Derek Lawson

No, not at all. I mean, once your priority date is current on the Visa Bulletin, you’re not done. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to, honestly, over a year for USCIS to process and approve your green card. There’s this idea that it’s just a quick formality, but it’s really not.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and it’s not just about waiting, right? There are all these factors—like, what kind of application you filed, how complicated your case is, and even how busy USCIS is at the time. It’s a bit of a lottery, but not the fun kind.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. And if they ask for more evidence—what they call an RFE—that can slow things down even more. I actually heard from a listener in Detroit, let’s call him Sam, who waited over a year after his date became current. His was an employment-based case, and it got really tangled up because of some paperwork issues and, well, just the complexity of his job offer. He kept checking the USCIS website, but it was just... crickets for months.

Ruby Sturt

That’s rough. And I think people don’t realize that after approval, you’re still waiting another month or two for the actual card to show up in the mail. So, you’re not really “done” until you’re holding that little green rectangle in your hand.

Derek Lawson

Right. And, just to throw this in, if you respond quickly to any requests from USCIS, that can help speed things up. But sometimes, it’s just out of your hands.

Ruby Sturt

So, bottom line—don’t book your celebration party the day your date becomes current. You might be waiting a while.

Ruby Sturt

Alright, let’s talk about the stuff that trips people up—scams, rescheduling interviews, and all that. I’ve got a story for you, Derek. My mate in Melbourne, she got this email saying she’d “won” the Diversity Visa lottery, but it asked for a payment to process her application. She almost paid it! Luckily, she called me first, and I was like, “No, no, no, that’s a scam.”

Derek Lawson

Oh man, that’s way too common. The only place to apply for the Diversity Visa is the official State Department website. It’s free, and it’s random. If anyone’s asking for money or promising you a guaranteed spot, it’s a scam. Full stop.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and keep your confirmation number safe. That’s the only way to check your status. If you get an email or a call saying you’ve been selected and you just need to pay a fee—run the other way. Or, you know, just delete it.

Derek Lawson

And if you’re ever unsure, talk to a licensed immigration attorney. Better safe than sorry. Now, what about rescheduling interviews? People get so stressed about this, but it’s not the end of the world if you need to change your green card interview date.

Ruby Sturt

Totally. You can reschedule online, or call USCIS if you’re in the States. If you’re overseas, there’s a different number. There’s no penalty for rescheduling, so don’t panic if you get sick or something comes up. Just follow the instructions on your appointment notice.

Derek Lawson

And if you need to withdraw your application, it’s not the end of your immigration story either. You just send a signed letter to USCIS or the National Visa Center, depending on where your case is. Include your name, date of birth, case number, and a clear statement that you want to withdraw. But, and this is important, withdrawing is permanent. So, talk to a lawyer before you do anything drastic.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, don’t just ghost the process. Paper trails matter. And always keep a copy of what you send, just in case.

Derek Lawson

So, you finally get your green card—what now? First thing, update your Social Security record. It’s not technically required, but it’s a good idea. Your new card won’t say “valid for work only with DHS authorization” anymore, and that can make life a lot easier when you’re applying for jobs or credit.

Ruby Sturt

And your green card is a REAL ID, so you can use it for stuff like getting a driver’s license or flying domestically. That’s handy, especially with all the new ID rules in the U.S.

Derek Lawson

Now, here’s a big one—travel. If you’ve got a past misdemeanor, you really want to talk to an immigration lawyer before you leave the country. Some convictions, like drug or fraud offenses, can cause major problems when you try to come back. CBP officers have a lot of discretion, and you don’t want to get stuck in removal proceedings because of something from years ago.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, don’t just assume you’re good to go. And, oh, I heard from a listener who had an expired green card and freaked out, thinking they’d lost their legal status. But that’s not how it works, right?

Derek Lawson

Nope. If you’re a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card, your status doesn’t expire just because your card does. You still need to renew the card, though, because you have to carry proof of your status. Once you file the renewal, you get a receipt notice that extends your validity for 36 months. So, you’re still legal, even if your card’s out of date—as long as you’ve filed that renewal.

Ruby Sturt

But if you’ve got a conditional green card, you can’t just renew it. You have to apply to remove the conditions, or you could lose your status. So, don’t ignore those deadlines!

Derek Lawson

Absolutely. And, just a reminder, if you’re 18 or older, you’re supposed to carry your green card with you at all times. Not saying you need to sleep with it under your pillow, but, you know, don’t leave it in a drawer for years.

Ruby Sturt

Alright, that’s a wrap for today’s episode. We covered a lot—timelines, scams, travel tips, and what to do after you get your card. If you’ve got questions or stories, send them our way. We’ll be back soon with more real talk about immigration. Derek, always a pleasure.

Derek Lawson

Thanks, Ruby. And thanks to everyone listening. Take care, and we’ll catch you next time on The Immigration Conversation.

Ruby Sturt

See ya, everyone!