U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that Green Card holders with criminal records risk losing their lawful permanent resident status and may face immediate deportation. The federal agency emphasized that possession of a Green Card is a privilege, not a right, and violations of U.S. law can trigger severe immigration consequences.
The announcement, issued Tuesday, reinforces the government’s authority to revoke permanent residency from individuals who violate immigration or criminal laws. CBP noted that returning residents with prior criminal convictions may be detained upon re-entry and subjected to immigration removal proceedings.
“Attention Green Card Holders: Having a criminal history does not make you an upstanding lawful permanent resident,” CBP declared in its notice. The agency warned that immigration consequences could be severe, including mandatory detention for some criminal offenses.
The statement aligns with the CBP’s mission of “protecting the American people, safeguarding our borders and enhancing the nation’s economic security.” According to the agency, individuals who abuse the privilege of permanent residency through criminal activity undermine national security and public trust.
CBP officials made it clear that lawful permanent residency can be revoked if the government determines that the individual has breached U.S. laws. “Under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke your green card if our laws are broken and abused,” the statement added.
This latest update underscores a broader trend in U.S. immigration enforcement, targeting non-citizens with past criminal conduct, even if the offense occurred years prior. CBP’s advisory serves as both a legal reminder and a warning to those who may believe that permanent residency offers full immunity from immigration penalties.
Legal experts note that a wide range of criminal convictions, ranging from aggravated felonies and drug offenses to crimes involving moral turpitude, can render a Green Card holder deportable under U.S. immigration law. In some cases, even misdemeanors can lead to revocation of status if deemed serious enough.
The U.S. immigration system considers lawful permanent residency a conditional status contingent on adherence to the country’s laws. CBP’s latest message reinforces the federal government’s discretionary power to determine eligibility and enforce removal.
