[calineczka]

Hello, My green card expired about 7 years ago. I'm about to file a renewal form and I'm aware that this process can be few months long. I just find out that my mom has been diagnosed with a lung cancer. This is a very urgent matter and I will must leave US for some time to be with her ( she lives in Europe) If there is anyway to speed it up a renewal process for emergency situations like this one ? I should be able to provide a medical evaluation of her condition if necessary. What I have to do? Thank you in advance.

[newacct]

So you've been living in the U.S. this whole time, right? Although the card expires, permanent resident status does not expire. You've been maintaining residence in the U.S. so you're still a legal permanent resident. That's fine. How long the card has been expired is not relevant. What is relevant is that you need to renew it now.

Once you file the I-90 to renew your card (which you must do while in the U.S.), you can go in for an InfoPass appointment at a USCIS office and get an I-551 stamp in your passport. Green card is I-551, and this temporary stamp is equivalent to the card in every way, allowing you to travel and work during this time. If you plan to leave for about a year or more, you should apply for a Re-entry Permit before you leave.

[kcomissiong]

Is your status permanent or conditional?

[newacct]

kcomissiong has a good point. If it was 2-year conditional permanent residency, and you didn't file for Removal of Conditions, then your permanent residency would have been lost a long time ago.