Having a green card – or permanent resident card – is a privilege, not a guaranteed right in the United States. Although it grants many benefits, permanent residents can still face deportation if they break certain laws or fail to comply with their legal obligations.
On July 7, 2025, Customs and Border Protection(CBP) reiterated this point in an official message on its social network, warning that possessing a green card does not automatically protect an immigrant from being removed from the country.
Who can be deported?
CBP warned that residents with criminal records may be detained and deported when attempting to re-enter the country at any border crossing point.
This warning is based on federal authority to revoke resident status when certain violations are committed.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), these are the main reasons a green card holder can be deported:
Convictions for serious crimes: domestic violence, drug trafficking, fraud, theft or sex crimes.
Prolonged absences from the country without permission to re-enter or without maintaining continuous residency.
Deception in obtaining residency, such as using false documents or lying in interviews.
Failure to comply with tax obligations to the IRS or state authorities.
Voluntary abandonment of immigration status by establishing permanent residency in another country.
Obligations of the permanent resident
Being a green card holder carries with it certain responsibilities.
According to USCIS, lawful permanent residents must:
Comply with all federal, state and local laws.
File annual tax returns with the IRS.
Not vote in federal or state elections.
Register with the Selective Service, if male, between the ages of 18 and 25.
Uphold the democratic system of government in the U.S.
Failure to comply with any of these obligations may be grounds to lose residency and face removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
What if you are already a naturalized citizen?
Even U.S. citizenship obtained by naturalization can be revoked if it is found to have been acquired by deception or false information.
According to the USCIS Policy Manual, some common reasons for revocation include:
Illegal naturalization: failure to comply with basic residency or moral conduct requirements.
Concealment of relevantinformation in the application process.
Membership in communist or terroristgroups within five years of naturalization.
Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces, if citizenship was obtained through military service.
In such cases, the government may initiate legal proceedings to annul citizenship and remove all associated legal benefits.
What about Trump’s policies?
Although the Donald Trump administration has stated that its immigration focus is on deporting immigrants with criminal records, the most recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data contradicts that narrative.
Being a green card holder comes with certain responsibilities
So far in 2025, about 60% of migrants detained by ICE have no criminal convictions and face no active charges.
Although arrests increased, most involve people with minor immigration violations or traffic infractions, not dangerous criminals as is often alleged.
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