Vance: Green Cards Don’t Guarantee Permanent U.S. Stay

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – A green card – the status of a substantial number of Indians in America – does not grant immigrants an indefinite right to remain in the United States, Vice President JD Vance said on March 13, emphasizing that the decision ultimately rests with the American government.

“A green card holder doesn’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States,” Vance stated in an interview with The Ingraham Angle on Fox News. “This is not fundamentally about free speech, and to me, yes, it’s about national security, but it’s also more importantly about who do we as an American public decide gets to join our national community.”

“And if the secretary of state and the President decide this person shouldn’t be in America, and they have no legal right to stay here, it’s as simple as that,” he added.

Vance’s remarks came in response to the arrest of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder detained on March 8 for his involvement in protests against the Israel-Hamas war. His green card has been revoked by the Trump administration, his lawyer said.

Under U.S. law, green cards can be revoked for reasons such as criminal activity, prolonged absence from the country, fraud, or national security concerns. While green card holders generally have the same First Amendment rights as U.S. citizens, constitutionally protected speech, including peaceful protest, is not typically grounds for revocation.

However, they remain subject to removal for aggravated felonies, violations of immigration regulations, or abandoning their residency by staying outside the country for extended periods. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), green card holders have the right to live permanently in the U.S. as long as they do not commit deportable offenses. They can work in most jobs, receive legal protections, and must follow all U.S. laws, file taxes, and, if required, register with the Selective Service.

Despite these restrictions, legal protections exist, including the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and the ability to appeal deportation orders. In certain cases, individuals may seek relief through waivers, cancellation of removal, or other legal defenses, particularly if they have strong family ties or a long history of residence in the U.S.

The recent approach of arresting and deporting green card holders for activities that were previously not grounds for removal signals a shift in U.S. immigration policy.