Green card holders do not have indefinite stay rights: US Vice President JD Vance
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US Vice President JD Vance has reignited debates on immigration policy by asserting that a Green Card does not guarantee permanent residency in the country.
His statement, made on Thursday, March 14, came in response to the arrest of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a Green Card holder.
Speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Vance emphasised that possessing a Green Card does not grant immigrants an unconditional right to stay in the US.
“A Green Card holder doesn’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States,” Vance said, framing the issue as one of national security and the criteria for joining the American community.
His remarks have drawn attention to the legal limitations of permanent residency, which, despite its name, does not offer absolute security against deportation.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and US Green Card holder, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside his Manhattan apartment. His arrest is reportedly linked to his involvement in organising protests against the Israel-Hamas war at Columbia in 2024.
Under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of State has the authority to deport immigrants deemed a risk to American foreign policy. While rarely invoked, legal experts argue that Khalil’s arrest raises concerns about the suppression of political dissent.
Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, a 28-year-old dentist currently eight months pregnant, told Reuters that her husband had expressed concerns about a possible arrest just days before it happened.
A federal judge has temporarily halted Khalil’s deportation while the court reviews the case. His legal team argues that his detention violates his constitutional right to free speech. The Justice Department has not clarified how his actions might impact US foreign policy, but former President Donald Trump and members of his administration have accused Khalil - without presenting evidence - of supporting Hamas.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance on immigration, stating that visas and Green Cards of individuals supporting Hamas would be revoked and those involved would be deported.
Meanwhile, President Trump has proposed a new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program, which would offer a path to citizenship for those willing to invest $5 million in the US. The initiative aims to attract wealthy foreigners and top talents from countries like India, China, and Japan. Trump has suggested that the funds generated from the program could help reduce the national debt.