Green Card Holders Should Think Twice Before Traveling Abroad If a Criminal Case Is Pending

Many lawful permanent residents assume that immigration consequences generally arise only after a criminal conviction. In practice, the situation can be more complex, particularly at the time of international travel.

In Blanche v. Lau, a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued on June 23, 2026, the Court addressed the authority of immigration officers when inspecting returning permanent residents at U.S. ports of entry. The Court held that immigration officers may assess potential inadmissibility grounds even when criminal proceedings are still pending and no conviction has been entered.

This means that immigration review at the border is not always dependent on the completion of the criminal process in court.

In practice, returning residents with pending criminal matters may be subject to additional inspection or questioning at the port of entry. Depending on the circumstances, officers may request court documents or conduct secondary inspection before allowing entry.

International travel is still possible in many situations, but individuals with pending criminal matters should be prepared for additional review at the time of reentry.