The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is increasing concerns among green card holders traveling through US airports and ports of entry. Reports of detentions and pressure to abandon legal residency have added to growing uncertainty, as policies tighten even for lawful permanent residents.
Green cards—officially Permanent Resident Cards—allow foreign nationals to live and work in the US permanently. Historically, green card holders traveled freely. But under President Donald Trump's policies, stricter border enforcement and a broader definition of risk have led to delays, detentions, and legal challenges for these travelers.
Michael Wildes, an immigration attorney and professor in New York, said to The New York Times that since Trump took office, “citizens and green card holders alike have contacted me to ask about representation in case they get stopped at the border.” Another lawyer, Brad Bernstein, said to The New York Times that he has turned to TikTok to debunk rumors and offer travel advice to green card holders.
What rights do Green Card holders have?
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According to the Department of Homeland Security, green card holders are allowed to live and work in the US, receive Social Security and Medicare, qualify for student financial aid, and even serve in the armed forces. They may apply for US citizenship after five years of legal residency—or three years if married to a US citizen. To qualify, they must spend at least 913 days physically present in the US during that period, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The government estimated that as of January 1, 2024, there were 12.8 million green card holders living in the country, up by 70,000 from the previous year. Green card holders are required to carry their card at all times.
What travel restrictions apply to Green Card holders?
Green card holders who commit crimes—ranging from traffic offenses to felonies—can be denied re-entry or even deported. Legal experts said to The New York Times that historically, only serious crimes were pursued, but the current administration appears to be expanding enforcement. They also emphasized the importance of consistency across travel documents, especially for forms like the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
Wildes said to The New York Times that although green card holders are technically allowed to remain abroad for up to a year, “any duration longer than six months can raise eyebrows.” He added that prolonged stays could also reset the clock for naturalization.
Bernstein said to The New York Times that some of his clients who returned from long trips have been confronted by Customs and Border Protection officers who questioned their US residence and presented them with forms to voluntarily abandon their legal permanent residency.
“Customs and Border Protection has taken on treating lawful permanent residents in a similar vein that they treat visitors and students, which is that they are going to be the judge and jury,” Bernstein said to The New York Times.
CBP told The New York Times that such forms are offered only when a permanent resident voluntarily expresses a desire to give up their status.
One of Bernstein’s clients, who asked to remain anonymous due to concerns about his residency, said to The New York Times that he was detained at a Florida airport in March after returning from a three-month business trip to Jamaica. CBP officers doubted that he still lived in the US and presented a form to relinquish his green card. He refused and was eventually admitted. “It felt like I wasn’t welcome anymore,” he said to The New York Times.
In another case, Cliona Ward, 54, who has lived in Santa Cruz, California, since she was 12, was detained at San Francisco International Airport on April 21 after a trip to Dublin. Her sister, Orla Holladay, said to The New York Times that Ward had two felony convictions from 2007 and 2008 related to drug possession, which were later expunged following a completed rehabilitation program. “She’s a taxpayer, she’s in the country legally, and she’s a part of the community,” Holladay said to The New York Times.
Ward’s lawyer, Erin Hall, said to The New York Times that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not produced criminal records. The agency declined to comment. Ward remains in detention without a hearing date.
What travel restrictions has the United States enacted?
As part of the administration’s broader agenda, the US has implemented what it calls “advanced vetting” at ports of entry. These policies, which include detaining and deporting travelers, have prompted countries like Germany to revise their travel advisories for visits to the United States.
In April, the Department of Homeland Security announced new screenings of immigrants’ social media activity. The agency said that any evidence of "endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism" would be grounds for denying immigration benefits.
The measures apply to those seeking green cards, student visas, and other statuses, particularly if affiliated with institutions deemed to have ties to antisemitic incidents. In recent months, some pro-Palestinian protesters—green card holders and students—have been arrested or detained under the new rules.
What precautions should Green Card holders take?
Wildes advised in his comments to The New York Times that anyone planning to stay abroad for over six months should apply for a reentry permit, which proves intent to maintain US residency. If the document does not arrive before departure, travelers should carry proof of the application.
He also recommended that frequent travelers apply for Global Entry, a CBP program that speeds up entry at US airports.
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Michael Wildes, an immigration attorney and professor in New York, said to The New York Times that since Trump took office, “citizens and green card holders alike have contacted me to ask about representation in case they get stopped at the border.” Another lawyer, Brad Bernstein, said to The New York Times that he has turned to TikTok to debunk rumors and offer travel advice to green card holders.
What rights do Green Card holders have?
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
According to the Department of Homeland Security, green card holders are allowed to live and work in the US, receive Social Security and Medicare, qualify for student financial aid, and even serve in the armed forces. They may apply for US citizenship after five years of legal residency—or three years if married to a US citizen. To qualify, they must spend at least 913 days physically present in the US during that period, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The government estimated that as of January 1, 2024, there were 12.8 million green card holders living in the country, up by 70,000 from the previous year. Green card holders are required to carry their card at all times.
What travel restrictions apply to Green Card holders?
Green card holders who commit crimes—ranging from traffic offenses to felonies—can be denied re-entry or even deported. Legal experts said to The New York Times that historically, only serious crimes were pursued, but the current administration appears to be expanding enforcement. They also emphasized the importance of consistency across travel documents, especially for forms like the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
Wildes said to The New York Times that although green card holders are technically allowed to remain abroad for up to a year, “any duration longer than six months can raise eyebrows.” He added that prolonged stays could also reset the clock for naturalization.
Bernstein said to The New York Times that some of his clients who returned from long trips have been confronted by Customs and Border Protection officers who questioned their US residence and presented them with forms to voluntarily abandon their legal permanent residency.
“Customs and Border Protection has taken on treating lawful permanent residents in a similar vein that they treat visitors and students, which is that they are going to be the judge and jury,” Bernstein said to The New York Times.
CBP told The New York Times that such forms are offered only when a permanent resident voluntarily expresses a desire to give up their status.
One of Bernstein’s clients, who asked to remain anonymous due to concerns about his residency, said to The New York Times that he was detained at a Florida airport in March after returning from a three-month business trip to Jamaica. CBP officers doubted that he still lived in the US and presented a form to relinquish his green card. He refused and was eventually admitted. “It felt like I wasn’t welcome anymore,” he said to The New York Times.
In another case, Cliona Ward, 54, who has lived in Santa Cruz, California, since she was 12, was detained at San Francisco International Airport on April 21 after a trip to Dublin. Her sister, Orla Holladay, said to The New York Times that Ward had two felony convictions from 2007 and 2008 related to drug possession, which were later expunged following a completed rehabilitation program. “She’s a taxpayer, she’s in the country legally, and she’s a part of the community,” Holladay said to The New York Times.
Ward’s lawyer, Erin Hall, said to The New York Times that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not produced criminal records. The agency declined to comment. Ward remains in detention without a hearing date.
What travel restrictions has the United States enacted?
As part of the administration’s broader agenda, the US has implemented what it calls “advanced vetting” at ports of entry. These policies, which include detaining and deporting travelers, have prompted countries like Germany to revise their travel advisories for visits to the United States.
In April, the Department of Homeland Security announced new screenings of immigrants’ social media activity. The agency said that any evidence of "endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism" would be grounds for denying immigration benefits.
The measures apply to those seeking green cards, student visas, and other statuses, particularly if affiliated with institutions deemed to have ties to antisemitic incidents. In recent months, some pro-Palestinian protesters—green card holders and students—have been arrested or detained under the new rules.
What precautions should Green Card holders take?
Wildes advised in his comments to The New York Times that anyone planning to stay abroad for over six months should apply for a reentry permit, which proves intent to maintain US residency. If the document does not arrive before departure, travelers should carry proof of the application.
He also recommended that frequent travelers apply for Global Entry, a CBP program that speeds up entry at US airports.
