Rights of Green Card Holders

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder from New York City, over his involvement in protests the year prior have raised questions about the rights of green card holders. Khalil is currently being held in Louisiana and has not been charged with a crime. The Trump administration plans to deport him on foreign policy grounds.

Critics argue Khalil’s arrest is retaliation for his involvement in protests on Columbia University’s campus in 2024. The arrest has sparked concern over the rights of green card holders, or lawful permanent residents, and whether Khalil’s arrest violates them. This holds massive implications for both the rights of immigrants especially with regards to freedom of speech.

A green card, or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) card, allows non-citizens to live and work permanently in the United States. They’re valid for ten years before needing to be renewed; however, the expiration of a green card doesn’t revoke a LPR’s status. While there could be ramifications for not maintaining registration, the status never expires so long as the individual complies with the law.

A green card holder can only be deported if found guilty of certain crimes, such as violent crimes or any form of immigration fraud. If found guilty, they would still serve their sentence in the U.S. Only afterwards can convicted green card holders face removal proceedings, during which they can still advocate for keeping their status.

Green card holders must face due process to have their status revoked. There also needs to be reasonable grounds for revocation. One example is if an individual is believed to be involved in terrorist activities. This aside, the rights of green card holders are essentially the same as naturalized U.S. citizens, meaning they are entitled to due process.

As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.