Why is Trump going after Green Card holders?

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In a sharp escalation of his hardline immigration policies, President Trump has recently turned his attention toward lawful permanent residents, sparking alarm among green card holders with the right to live and work in the United States permanently.

While Trump’s immigration policies during his first term in office primarily targeted undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers, this time his administration is taking a more aggressive approach, aimed at even those who have followed legal pathways to U.S. permanent residency. By now you have seen the headlines in the news detailing heightened scrutiny and enforcement measures against green card holders by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Understanding why Trump is now targeting green card holders requires taking a closer look at his administration’s policies and what this means for the future of immigration under President Trump.

Overview

Under President Trump’s current administration, green card holders are being treated like guests, with the privilege of having the ability to live and work in the United States. But that privilege can be placed under scrutiny if lawful permanent residents violate their legal status.

This is because of the administration’s new “Catch and Revoke” policy, introduced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, establishing a stringent “one-strike” rule targeting non-citizens, including green card holders, visa recipients, and parolees.

Under this new policy, any legal violation by non-citizens—ranging from minor infractions to more serious offenses—can lead to the immediate revocation of immigration status and potential deportation.

In a State Department newsletter authored by Rubio he discussed this policy further stating, “There is now a one-strike policy: Catch-And-Revoke. Whenever the government catches non-U.S. citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status. The time of contemptuously taking advantage of our nation’s generosity ends. This extends to the thousands of foreign students studying in the United States who abuse our hospitality…”

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has further adopted this policy through an internal memorandum distributed to immigration officers. The agency has also made clear on its social media posts that noncitizens including green card and visa holders can lose their privilege to remain in the United States if they violate the terms of their immigration status.

In response to these policies, Green Card holders have faced increasing scrutiny in the following situations:

  • Re-Entries: Upon re-entry to the U.S. after temporary foreign travel, facing extended questioning by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about prolonged absences from the U.S., criminal history such as past DUIs, as well as past removal proceedings that were not terminated.
  • Encounters with Law Enforcement: In interactions with law enforcement, where even traffic stops, or misdemeanor arrests have resulted in ICE notifications and potential detainment.
  • Social Media Monitoring: Through heightened monitoring of online social media activity, including antisemitic activity on social media posts, under expanded DHS surveillance protocols.
  • Naturalization Applications: Citizenship applications face re-evaluation under stricter standards, with older criminal records, even misdemeanors, used as grounds for denial or delay.

Green Card Revocation

Green card revocation is a serious matter that can result in a lawful permanent resident losing their immigration status and being placed in removal (deportation) proceedings.

Revocation typically occurs when a green card holder violates U.S. immigration laws or other federal or state laws.

Common grounds for green card revocation include:

  • criminal convictions (particularly for aggravated felonies or crimes of moral turpitude)
  • fraud or misrepresentation during the green card application process or
  • abandonment of permanent resident status—often triggered by extended stays of 6 months or longer outside the U.S. without proper permission.

When U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiates revocation, the individual may receive a Notice to Appear in immigration court, where they have the opportunity to contest the charges with legal representation.

During this process, the government must prove that revocation is warranted under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and the green card holder may apply for relief from removal, such as cancellation of removal or adjustment of status. If unsuccessful, the individual can be ordered deported and lose all associated legal rights and protections afforded by permanent residency.

In some cases, an individual may be subject to expedited removal from the United States, which is a legal process used by U.S. immigration authorities to deport certain non-citizens quickly and without a hearing before an immigration judge. Expedited removal is typically reserved for individuals who are ineligible to enter the U.S., or have committed fraud or misrepresentation in their attempts to enter the U.S.

Factors Causing Problems for Green Card Holders

Green Card holders, while granted the right to live and work permanently in the United States, are still subject to certain conditions and scrutiny—especially when re-entering the country after international travel.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to question a returning resident’s intent to maintain permanent residency.

Several factors can trigger problems or even lead to denial of entry, including extended absences, legal violations, or criminal issues.

Below are some key factors that can cause complications for Green Card holders at U.S. ports of entry:

  • Criminal history: Arrests or convictions, even for minor or old offenses, that occurred before or after attaining permanent residency can lead to detention or removal proceedings.
  • Suspicion of fraudulent activity: Use of false documents, misrepresentation at entry or during the green card process, or inconsistencies can cause denial of entry and green card revocation.
  • Extended stays outside the U.S.: Spending more than 6 months abroad without a reentry permit can lead to a presumption that you have abandoned your permanent residency, which can cause denial of entry and green card revocation.
  • Unpaid taxes or tax noncompliance: Failure to file required U.S. tax returns or meet tax obligations can be seen as noncompliance with residency responsibilities, as well as white collar crimes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Trump administration’s targeting of certain green card holders reflects a broader shift toward stricter immigration enforcement and a redefinition of what it means to be a “lawful” permanent resident.

By applying policies like “Catch and Revoke,” the administration signals that green card holders can lose their privilege to remain in the United States if they violate the terms of their immigration status or break federal or state laws such as committing serious criminal offenses.

Law abiding Green card holders who have otherwise complied with all federal and state laws, and have not stayed outside the U.S. for extended stays of 6 months or longer, will not be a target of the administration.

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