If you are a legal permanent resident of the U.S., you probably remember how difficult obtaining your status was. Still, the rights you have as a green card holder probably are worth the effort you invested. Among others, these include your right to work for any employer you choose.
You may have presented your green card to your employer when you began work. After all, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, these cards are valid I-9 documents. That is, they prove both identity and work eligibility.
Your status does not expire
If you have a 10-year green card, your permanent residency does not expire when your card does. In fact, it should never expire. While there are many good reasons to renew your green card, you do not have to worry about extending your status.
Your I-9 does not require re-verification
As you probably know, some individuals have temporary work authorization. Others may only work for specific employers or do certain jobs. With these individuals, employers often need to reverify I-9 documents. Because of your legal permanent residency, though, your I-9 should not require re-verification.
As long as your green card was current when you presented it for I-9 purposes, your employer should not ask you for an unexpired one or other I-9 documents. Nevertheless, if you have a break in your employment, you probably need to provide unexpired documents to begin working again.
Because the employment eligibility verification process can be complex, employers often make unintentional mistakes. Ultimately, if your manager is trying to do something that violates your rights as a legal permanent resident, you may have to educate him or her.
