JD Vance Asserts Green Card Holders Do Not Have an Indefinite Right to Stay in the US

Vice President’s Remarks Spark Debate Amid Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies

In a statement that has reignited discussions on US immigration policy, Vice President JD Vance asserted on Thursday that holding a green card does not guarantee permanent residency in the United States. His remarks, made during an interview with Fox News, emphasize that legal permanent residents (LPRs) can still be subject to removal at the discretion of the government.

“A green card holder doesn’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States of America. American citizens have different rights from people who have green cards and from people who have student visas,” Vance said.

He further underscored that green card holders could be removed if deemed a national security risk or if their presence is not in the best interest of the country.

“If the Secretary of State and the President decide that someone shouldn’t be in America, they have no legal right to stay here. It’s as simple as that,” Vance stated.

These comments come at a time when the Trump administration has been implementing stricter immigration policies, which include increased scrutiny on green card holders, student visa holders, and other non-citizen residents.

National Security and the Scope of Permanent Residency

Vance framed the issue as one that goes beyond just free speech, calling it a matter of national security and public interest.

“This is not fundamentally about ‘free speech’,” he explained. “Yes, it’s about national security — but more importantly, it’s about who we, as American citizens, decide gets to join our national community.”

His remarks suggest that the Trump administration is willing to take strong action against visa holders and legal residents who are perceived to be threats.

Vance also hinted at potential deportations of student visa holders under this approach, stating:

“I think we will certainly see some people who get deported on student visas if we determine that it’s not in the best interests of the United States to have them in our country.”

This stance aligns with the administration’s broader strategy of tightening immigration policies and prioritizing national security concerns over long-term residency rights.

Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Activists and Green Card Holders

The Vice President’s remarks follow the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and permanent resident, under policies that have increased scrutiny of non-citizen involvement in political activism. Khalil’s case has intensified debates about the rights of green card holders and the extent of government authority over their residency status.

Many critics argue that such actions set a dangerous precedent, raising concerns about potential political targeting and erosion of immigrant rights. However, supporters of the administration maintain that permanent residency should not be an unconditional guarantee, particularly if national security is at stake.

Trump’s “Gold Card” Visa Proposal: A New Pathway for Wealthy Immigrants

In a parallel development, President Donald Trump has floated the idea of introducing a “Gold Card” visa, which would offer a pathway to citizenship for individuals who invest $5 million (approximately ₹44 crore) in the US.

This proposed program would replace the existing EB-5 investor visa, which requires a lower investment amount and mandates job creation.

Key Differences Between the Gold Card and EB-5 Visa:

• Higher Investment Threshold: The Gold Card would require a $5 million investment, compared to the EB-5 visa, which currently requires $800,000 to $1.05 million.
• No Job Creation Mandate: Unlike EB-5, the Gold Card may not require investors to create a specific number of jobs.
• Path to Citizenship: The Gold Card is expected to provide a clearer and possibly faster route to US citizenship for high-net-worth individuals.

This move is seen as an effort to attract wealthy investors while simultaneously making it harder for other immigrant groups to secure permanent residency.

Indian Immigrants and the Green Card Debate

The Indian-American community, which represents the second-largest immigrant group in the US, has a significant number of green card holders.

With an estimated 1.2 million Indians waiting in line for green cards due to processing backlogs, any policy changes impacting legal permanent residents are of critical concern to this group.

Additionally, Indian students make up one of the largest populations of student visa holders in the US, making them particularly vulnerable to potential policy shifts regarding visa-based deportations.

As the 2025 election season approaches, immigration policy is expected to remain a contentious issue, with the Trump administration advocating for stricter enforcement and critics pushing for more protections for legal residents.