Multiple high-profile arrests and deportations have sparked fear among visa and green-card holders that they could be targeted by the Trump administration. The president, who made tougher immigration enforcement a central pillar of his reelection campaign, has taken several steps to streamline the detention and deportation process. While initially focused on undocumented migrants, multiple visa and green-card holders have been arrested are awaiting deportation.

So far, the Trump administration has mainly targeted visa and green-card holders with legitimate issues with their cases. The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate with no apparent visa issues, has raised concerns over the rights of visa and green card holders. This is especially true for individuals seeking reentry into the country.

When non-citizens return to the U.S. from traveling abroad, an immigration officer can decide if they can reenter the country. While visa holders can have their visas revoked by immigration officials, green card holders have the right to appear before an immigration judge to plead their case before their status is stripped. The fact that the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan deport green card holders like Khalil without due process is what many of the President’s critics find so concerning.

It’s therefore important for immigrants and non-immigrants to know their rights, especially when approached by law enforcement. Most immigrants, naturalized citizens, and lawful permanent residents:

  • Have the right to remain silent and, in most cases, the right to refuse a search if stopped by law-enforcement.
  • May ask for a lawyer immediately if detained.
  • Have the right to refuse to open the door for law enforcement unless the agent or officer has a signed judicial search or arrest warrant.

It’s highly recommended that immigrants and non-immigrants always carry proof of their legal status on them, especially if they’re eighteen years old or older.

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.

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