'Attention green card holders': Immigration officials issue new warning to US citizens with criminal history

The Customs and Border Protection issued a fresh warning to green card holders, reminding them that they are not above the law. Their legal citizenship can be revoked if the authorities deem fit based on their criminal record.

"Under our nation's laws, our government has the authority to revoke your green card if our laws are broken and abused," the CBP posted on X.

"Having a criminal history does not make you an upstanding lawful permanent resident. Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right," the post added. "In addition to immigration removal proceedings, lawful permanent residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention."

This is not the first time that the Donald Trump administration has warned green card holders. Amid a massive crackdown on illegal immigrants across the country, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that green card holders can also be prosecuted and deported. The CBP reiterating that a green card is not a guarantee to stay in the US is not an empty threat as the administration has detained and prosecuted several green card holders.

And the cases that grabbed the attention of the entire country because of the political reasons include Mahmoud Khalil, whose deportation was stayed by the court while the administration was prepared to deport him and an immigration judge ruled that he can be deported.

A Palestinian and married to an American, Khalil was arrested despite being a legal US citizen on charges of pro-Hamas activism at Columbia University -- though he never had any criminal charges. According to estimates by the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, there were 12.8 million lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, living in the US as of January 1, 2024