Kathmandu. Holding a U.S. green card signifies lawful permanent resident status. Green card holders are allowed to live and work in the United States indefinitely. However, in some circumstances, green card holders may also be subject to deportation.
The recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist involved in organizing campus protests against the Israel-Hamas conflict at Columbia University in New York City, has raised questions about the protections that foreign students and green card holders receive from deportation.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), green card holders have many rights. Green card holders are free to live and work anywhere in the United States. The only condition is that they are not involved in a deportable crime.
They can work in any legal job, except for certain roles that are restricted to U.S. citizens for security reasons. They are protected by all U.S. laws, including state and local laws.
Green card holders are subject to special responsibilities. They must comply with all U.S. and local laws. They are advised to file income tax returns and report income to the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. They must support a democratic system of government (without voting in elections). If they are male and between the ages of 18 and 25, they must register for Selective Service.
Green card holders can also be deported from the United States. “Green card holders generally have the same First Amendment rights as U.S. citizens,” said Russell A. Stamets, a partner at Circle of Counsel.
Constitutionally protected speech, including peaceful protest, is generally not grounds for revoking a green card. Green cards are generally revoked for serious crimes or other clear violations. “While green card holders have strong legal protections, such as the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and the ability to appeal deportation orders, they can still be removed for serious crimes, fraud, national security threats, or for leaving their residence due to being outside the United States for an extended period of time,” said Aurelia Menezes, a partner at King Stubb & Kashiva. “However, they can seek relief through waivers, removals, or other legal defenses, especially if they have strong family ties or have been in the United States for a long time.”
The Trump administration has said it will revoke green cards in certain circumstances, arrest green card holders for unconstitutionally lawful activities, and deport them. This represents a dramatic shift in US policy.
According to the report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on ‘X’, ‘The Trump administration will revoke the visas or green cards of Hamas supporters in the US.’ –Agency
