Legal Best Practices for Carrying Immigration Documents

 A Guide for International Visitors and Residents in the US

Navigating U.S. immigration policies can be challenging, and recent incidents highlight the importance of proper documentation. There have been cases where individuals—including immigrants, nonimmigrants, and even U.S. citizens—were detained simply because they couldn’t immediately prove their legal status.

A well-known example happened in 2011 when a German executive visiting a Mercedes branch in Alabama was stopped for a routine traffic check. At the time, Alabama had a law requiring officers to arrest individuals suspected of being undocumented. Because the executive wasn’t carrying his passport, he was detained in jail until his colleague retrieved it from his hotel. While that specific law has since been repealed, some states still have agreements with federal authorities that allow local law enforcement to check immigration status, which can lead to similar situations.



To avoid unnecessary complications, here are some simple and effective best practices for carrying identification and immigration documents:

• Carry Official Documents When Possible – If feasible, keep your original immigration documents with you, such as a visa, green card, or passport, as proof of your legal presence in the U.S.
• Keep a Copy Handy – A clear copy (printed or digital) can be a helpful backup if carrying the original document isn't practical. Some valuable documents to have copies of include:
• A picture or scanned copy of your visa or green card
• I-797 approval notices
• A copy of your passport’s identification page
• A state-issued ID or driver’s license
• Be Aware of Local Laws – Some states work with federal immigration authorities, giving local law enforcement more power to check immigration status. Knowing the laws in your state can help you be prepared.
• Know Your Rights – If you are detained or questioned about your immigration status, you can remain silent and ask for legal representation. If this happens, contacting an immigration attorney as soon as possible can help resolve the situation quickly.

While carrying identification won’t prevent an officer from stopping you, it can make the process much smoother and significantly reduce the risk of detention.

Kelsey Greene, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw, Charlotte

Regarding Awareness of Potential Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status

Many green card holders are unaware that they can quickly, and potentially accidentally, sign away their lawful permanent resident status at a US port of entry. In a recent situation described on social media, a green card holder was pressured by a Customs and Border Protection officer to sign a Form I-407 Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status and accidentally abandoned their green card status.

An immigration officer may ask green card holders to confirm whether they have given up permanent US residency at a US port of entry. Common triggers for this line of questioning include an absence of approximately 6 months or more from the US. However, green card holders must understand that they are not required to abandon their lawful permanent resident status in such a situation and can always defend their situation or request legal counsel as necessary – abandoning permanent resident status via a Form I-407 is a voluntary action.

 

Moreover, green card holders should be aware that options for recourse include refusing to sign a Form I-407, seeking legal counsel, seeking the right to be heard by an immigration judge, or contacting the consulate of their country of origin. Preemptively, green card holders may maintain documents demonstrating ongoing US permanent residency such as mortgage and utility payments, tax or employer pay records, driver’s licenses, etc.

 

Generally, we would not expect an immigration officer to pressure green card holders to abandon their lawful permanent residency at a US port of entry. However, green card holders should always be aware of their rights and the methods they may employ to defend them.

Should you have questions about your legal status, please contact us.

 

Cole Haaf, Attonrey, BridgehouseLaw LLP, Charlotte, NC

St. Patrick’s Day: Fun Facts & Safe Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration. While many associate the holiday with parades, shamrocks, and all things green, it has a rich history worth remembering—the holiday honors Saint Patrick, credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Interestingly, Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain but became well-known for his missionary work in Ireland.

Each year, the Irish Taoiseach (leader) presents a bowl of shamrocks to the U.S. President, a tradition that began in 1950. According to folklore, wearing green makes you invisible to mischievous leprechauns known for pinching those they see. This is why people often pinch those who forget to wear green! One of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happens in Chicago, where the river is dyed green. The effect lasts about five hours and has been a tradition since 1962.

While St. Patrick’s Day is a time for fun, it’s also important to celebrate responsibly. Many people don’t realize that DWIs (Driving While Impaired) aren’t just limited to cars. In North Carolina and many other states, you can get a DWI for riding a horse, operating a tractor, a bicycle, or even an electric scooter under the influence.

North Carolina has some other unusual laws that might surprise you. Bars can have daily specials, but specific happy hour discounts on alcohol are prohibited. It’s illegal to drink alcohol while playing bingo. Technically, singing off-key in public is against the law—though enforcement is questionable.



As you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, keep these quirky laws in mind and, most importantly, stay safe. Whether you’re out with friends, attending a parade, or just enjoying the festivities at home, have a great time celebrating responsibly!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Kelsey Greene, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw, Charlotte
 

The Importance of Fonts in Branding: Lessons from Patagonia's Ridgway Song

In this episode, Reinhard von Hennigs discusses the creation of Ridgway Song, a new typeface designed by Patagonia in honor of a former colleague. 

The video emphasizes the broader implications of custom typeface creation for businesses, including the legal complexities surrounding font ownership and licensing. 

Case studies, like Warner Brothers' legal trouble in 2011 and the infamous Comic Sans, highlight the importance of proper font usage. 

The episode closes with an invitation for viewers to share their own font creations and considerations for branding through new typography. 

OOTD and Leadership: Lessons from Poshmark CEO Manish Chandra

Reinhard von Hennigs discusses the concept of OOTD (Outfit of the Day) and how CEO Manish Chandra of Poshmark leverages this trend by allowing his youngest team members to curate his daily outfits. This practice helps Chandra stay relevant in the fashion industry and maintain a connection with younger employees. Von Hennigs highlights this approach as a modern leadership method and explores its business implications, including legal challenges related to trademark use on social media. He also prompts global business leaders to consider how they engage with younger employees to stay ahead of trends.

 

 

Reinhard von Hennigs discusses McDonald's latest packaging innovation: the table bag, which serves as both a bag and a table. Launched at Milan Design Week, this product merges fancy design, sustainability, and a unique consumer experience. The script emphasizes the importance of packaging in driving sales and brand engagement, citing how packaging innovations stand out in global markets. Legal considerations, like patents and recyclability, also play crucial roles. The table bag exemplifies how packaging can be a strategic tool for business growth and differentiation in the competitive market.

Preserving Digital Heritage: Challenge of Saving Classic Video Games and...

Reinhard von Hennigs discusses the importance of preserving digital video game heritage in an era of rapid technological advancement.

According to a Video Game History Foundation study, 87% of games released before 2010 are not commercially available, leading to cultural loss and potential legal challenges. Companies like Nintendo have tried to re-release older titles on newer systems, but these efforts are limited.

Significant legal issues surround intellectual property rights, licensing agreements, and jurisdictional questions related to digital preservation. The need for collective agreements to create and use game libraries is emphasized.

Reinhard draws parallels between the gaming industry and global business innovation, suggesting that companies balance tradition with innovation to maintain their core values while progressing forward.

Show Me Your I-9's

The first quarter of the calendar year, Q1 in business lingo, is a great time to perform an internal audit of a company’s personnel records. I’m not talking about wading into the deep end of the personnel file cabinet and looking through all of the employee files; I’m talking about making sure the mandatory forms are correct, complete, and stored in an accessible manner. I’m talking about the USCIS Employment Eligibility Verification Form, better known as the “I-9”.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the I-9.

1.    What is the I-9? The I-9 is an immigration form, not a business form. US immigration law dictates that every business operating in the US, regardless of size or citizenship status, must complete I-9 forms for all new hires.

2.    Who completes the I-9 and when? Every new hire Employee MUST complete Section 1 on day 1. Employers must complete Section 2 within three (3) business days from the new hire’s first day of work. Section 3 is only used if the employer needs to reverify an employee’s eligibility to work or if the employee is a rehire within the last 3 years from the date the original I-9 was completed. I-9 Reverification must be done before the date the current employment authorization expires.

3.    Where should employers keep I-9s? A best practice is to keep the I-9s in a separate binder or eFolder separate from the employee file and easily accessible for an I-9 audit.

4.    How long do Employers need to keep I-9 records? Employers MUST retain employee I-9 forms for as long as the employee is employed by the employer. The records can be paper or electronic but must be legible and able to be produced as a paper copy.

5.    Do Employers need to keep I-9s for terminated employees? YES, Employers must retain I-9 forms for terminated employees for either one (1) year after the employment relationship ends, OR three (3) years after the initial date of employment – which ever date is later.

6.    Which agency audits I-9 forms? The Department of Homeland Security through US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is charged with performing I-9 inspections. DHS/ICE will issue a Notice of Inspection (NOI) to employers requiring the employer to produce some or all of the I-9 Forms attached to the employer.

7.    What are the consequences of failing an I-9 inspection? Employers receive ten (10) business days to correct technical or procedural failures and will need to submit the corrections for verification, or DHS can impose monetary fines on the employer. The fines range from $218.00 to $27,894.00 PER VIOLATION. Employers with substantive violations, uncorrected audit failures, and/or employ unauthorized workers are subject to: forced business closure, higher civil fines, and criminal prosecution.

Most employers don’t perform internal I-9 audits to fix simple errors until it’s too late. Making an I-9 audit part of a business’s regular bookkeeping practice can save a company a lot of money and ensure that when an ICE audit happens the employer can readily supply the requested documents. BridgehouseLaw LLP can help. Our firm can perform an I-9 audit, provide a list of discrepancies, and ensure employer I-9 compliance.

Please reach out to BridgehouseLaw at (980)219-5200 or to Crystal McBride at crystal.mcbride@bridgehouse.law for more information and a quote.

Crystal McBride, Attorney, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte

 

The Official Language of the U.S.: What It Means for Business, Growth, a...

Reinhard von Hennigs discusses President Donald Trump's executive order signed on March 1, 2025, designating English as the official language of the United States.

This order overturns a 2000 decision by President Clinton that required federal agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.

The implications of this order are mainly relevant in federal government interactions, while companies may still use other languages for product liability warnings and compliance with state regulations. Multilingual communication strategies remain crucial for global growth and market diversity.

Corporate Transparency Act (CTA): Balancing Ethics, Compliance, and Data...

Reinhard von Hennigs explains the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a law aimed at increasing corporate transparency to build trust in business transactions.

The CTA has faced multiple legal challenges and was recently suspended by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as of March 2nd, 2025. The act intended to collect beneficial ownership information to prevent fraud and enhance decision-making.

However, it raised concerns regarding data privacy and FinCEN's management of collected information. Reinhard argues for the need for unified global reporting standards and suggests that companies with inherent transparency practices are less affected by such regulations.