What will happen if I present an expired Green card when I try to reenter the United States after traveling abroad, or when I obtain a new job, or when I apply for entitlement benefits?
A. Re-entry into the United States from abroad: To the extent possible, apply for your new Green Card before you travel and bring with you on any trip the temporary documentation you receive at the time of filing to renew your Green Card. If after traveling abroad you try to re-enter the United States with an expired Green Card, you may experience a delay during the inspection process at the port-of-entry.
Obtaining employment: While employers will not accept an expired Green Card to verify employment authorization for new hires, you may use other documents listed on the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form), or the temporary documentation you receive at the time of filing to renew your Green Card other than a stamp placed in an expired passport.
[NOTE: If an applicant presents an expired passport the INS will stamp it; however, this documentation is not acceptable for employment verification purposes. Applicants can present to employers an unexpired stamped passport or Form I-94 with photograph, or any of the other documents listed on the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form). Accordingly, applicants who require temporary documentation for employment purposes should inform the INS officer of this fact when they come to the local INS office.] Applying for benefits: Your status as a lawful permanent resident has not changed. Therefore, your eligibility for benefits will not change. The temporary documentation that you receive upon filing to renew your Green Card is sufficient evidence to verify your legal status.