Evanston, IL immigration attorney Alen Takhsh talks about how you can avoid jeopardizing your green card. He advises that protecting one’s green card requires both common sense and careful planning. First and foremost, staying out of legal trouble is essential, as certain criminal infractions—depending on their severity—can jeopardize permanent resident status. Second, international travel must be approached with caution. He explains that trips lasting three to five months abroad typically do not affect a green card. However, spending more than six months but less than twelve months outside the United States creates a rebuttable presumption that continuous residence has been broken, which could place the green card at risk. If an absence extends beyond twelve months and one day, that presumption becomes irrebuttable, meaning the individual cannot present evidence to justify the extended stay. He stresses that being mindful of time spent abroad is critical, as lengthy absences can not only threaten lawful permanent resident status but also undermine future eligibility for U.S. citizenship.