A green card, which indicates the immigration status of many Indians in the United States, does not guarantee an unlimited right to remain in the country, as emphasized by Vice President JD Vance on March 13. He pointed out that the American government holds the ultimate authority over immigration matters. In an interview on The Ingraham Angle, Vance stated that a green card holder does not possess an indefinite right to reside in the U.S. He further noted that the issue extends beyond free speech, linking it to national security and the collective decision of Americans regarding national membership. Vance asserted that if the Secretary of State and the President decide an individual should not stay in the U.S. and that person lacks legal grounds to remain, the situation is clear.These remarks followed the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and green card holder, who was detained on March 8 for participating in protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. His attorney indicated that the Trump administration had revoked his green card.
U.S. law allows for the revocation of green cards for various reasons, including criminal activity, prolonged absences, fraudulent actions, or national security concerns. While green card holders generally enjoy First Amendment rights akin to U.S. citizens, exercising constitutionally protected speech, such as peaceful protests, typically does not lead to revocation. However, they remain at risk of removal for serious felonies, immigration law violations, or for abandoning their residency by staying outside the U.S. for extended periods. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), green card holders can maintain permanent residency in the U.S. as long as they do not commit deportable offenses and are allowed to work in most occupations.Legal safeguards remain in place despite these limitations, such as the entitlement to a hearing before an immigration judge and the option to contest deportation orders. In specific circumstances, individuals may pursue relief via waivers, cancellation of removal, or alternative legal defenses, especially if they possess significant family connections or a lengthy residency in the United States.The recent trend of detaining and deporting green card holders for actions that were not previously considered grounds for removal indicates a notable change in U.S. immigration policy.
