The U.S. Department of State has intensified its immigration enforcement, announcing that green card and visa holders will face ongoing scrutiny even after approval. A March 17, 2025, X post from the department made it clear: “Visa screening continues post-issuance. We monitor compliance with U.S. laws and regulations, revoking visas and deporting violators as needed.” This reflects a tougher stance, driven by conservative demands to bolster national security and economic stability.
Green Card holders aren’t immune either. Senator JD Vance, in a recent Fox News interview, stressed that permanent residency doesn’t guarantee an indefinite stay. These changes, under Trump’s administration, challenge the previous perception of permanent residency once you have a green card.
The focus is on understanding how these changes will make the stay of green card holders in the U.S. less guaranteed, exploring deportation criteria, enforcement shifts, and practical impacts on travel, employment, and daily life.
green card holders must ensure their absences are temporary, with stays over one year risking status revocation unless a reentry permit is obtained (Traveling Outside the U.S. as a Green Card Holder). This established a baseline of existing rules, such as the need for Form I-131 for reentry permits and the importance of demonstrating intent to return through U.S. ties like tax filings and property ownership.
recent changes revealed significant policy shifts in 2025, redefining deportation risks for green card holders, which expanded deportation criteria and enforcement measures. This includes a revised I-485 form requirements and potential limits on legal immigration pathways.
Expanded Deportation Criteria
The 2025 policies have broadened the grounds for deporting green card holders, below are the criteria’s:
- Criminal Convictions: Includes “moral turpitude” or aggravated felonies, even minor offenses, expanding from previous serious crime focus.
- Fraudulent Acquisition: Intensified review for misrepresentation, e.g., sham marriages, false documents, with past actions now scrutinized.
- Abandonment of Residency: Risk for long stays abroad, failure to file U.S. tax returns, or insufficient U.S. ties, such as no active bank accounts.
- National Security Concerns: Immediate action for suspected terrorist connections, bypassing traditional legal processes, based on reasonable grounds.
These changes mean that green card holders face increased scrutiny, with even minor legal issues potentially leading to deportation proceedings.
Enforcement and Operational Shifts
Enforcement measures have also intensified, with significant implications for green card holders. The VisaVerge source noted the expansion of expedited removal nationwide, allowing deportation without court hearings in certain cases, which reduces legal defense opportunities
Green card holders are advised to take proactive steps. Avoid legal trouble, as even minor offenses can now have severe consequences, also maintain strong U.S. ties, such as filing taxes and keeping a U.S. address.
For travel, carrying proof of intent to return, like employment letters or family ties, is crucial, and consulting an immigration attorney is advised for any uncertainties
Emerging developments include the proposal to end to birthright citizenship, though its legal impact remains debated. Employment-related changes include the mandatory use of E-Verify for all employers.
Trump’s immigration policy changes have significantly altered the status quo for green card holders, making their stay in the U.S. less guaranteed. Green card holders must remain vigilant, comply with legal requirements, and seek professional advice to avoid deportation.
