3 Travel Changes Every Green Card Holder MUST Know in 2026!

Are you planning to fly in 2026? New travel risks could affect people who live in the U.S. but are not citizens.

Even if you’ve flown before, you could face problems at the airport. This includes people with green cards, pending cases, or past legal issues.

Here are three things to know before you fly.

1. More Checks for Green Card Holders

A green card doesn’t mean you’ll get back into the U.S. without issues. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may ask about old arrests or criminal charges. Even charges that were dropped or cleared from your record may come up.

In some cases, CBP may treat you as a new visitor instead of someone who lives in the U.S. This could lead to being held at the airport or sent to court.

You may also face more checks if you have a two-year green card and no longer live with your spouse. People who got green cards through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) may also face more questions.

If CBP asks you to sign Form I-407, be careful. This form lets you give up your green card. You can refuse to sign it and ask for legal help.

You may also get a Notice to Appear (NTA). This means you must go to court. It does not mean you’ve lost your green card.

2. New Risks When Using Advance Parole

Are you still waiting for your green card? You may need advance parole to leave the U.S. This travel permit lets some people leave and come back while their cases are still open.

But it does not promise that you’ll be let back in.

If you’ve spent time in the U.S. without legal status, leaving could lead to a ban:

• More than 180 days but less than one year: Three-year ban.
• One year or more: Ten-year ban.

A court ruling in August 2026 raised new concerns about these bans. The risks may affect people who stayed past their visas and then applied for green cards through marriage.

Some people with DACA or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may also face risks.

Even if you get back into the U.S., your trip could still hurt your green card case.

3. More ICE Arrests at U.S. Airports

You don’t have to leave the U.S. to face an ICE arrest. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can arrest people at airports, even before they board a flight.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has shared flight details with ICE. This has led to arrests at airports.

You may face more risk if you have:

• An old or active order to leave the U.S.
• No legal status or a status that has expired.
• A pending case after your visa expired.
• A valid work permit but no current legal status.

A work permit may help you get through TSA. But it won’t stop ICE from making an arrest.

People with green cards face less risk on flights within the U.S. Still, if you’re 18 or older, you must carry your real green card.

Not sure if you have an old order to leave the U.S.? You can check your court case online using your A-number. Not all cases show up online, so a lawyer can help you check.

Get Legal Help Before Traveling

I’m Moumita Rahman, and I’ve been an immigration attorney for 16 years. I know how stressful immigration issues can be, especially when you’re planning to travel.

My team and I can review your immigration history, identify possible risks, and help you understand your options before you leave.

Call us today at 212-248-7907 to discuss your situation and learn what immigration options may be available to you.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every immigration case is different. Speak with an experienced immigration attorney before making decisions about your case.