In recent years, the United States has witnessed a significant intensification of immigration enforcement policies, leading to heightened concerns among various immigrant communities. Notably, individuals who have traditionally been considered secure in their residency status—such as legal immigrants, green card holders, and even naturalized citizens—are now facing increased scrutiny and potential risks of deportation. In an event held by American Community Media this topic was discussed by experts and immigration advocates, who made a critical examination of who is truly safe from the expanding deportation efforts.
Legal Immigrants and Green Card Holders: Eroding Protections
Historically, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), commonly known as green card holders, have enjoyed a stable status in the U.S., with deportation typically reserved for those committing serious offenses. However, recent policy changes have broadened the criteria for removal, encompassing a wider array of infractions. The 2025 Immigration Rules, effective January 20, 2025, have expanded deportation grounds to include minor offenses and allegations of residency abandonment. Additionally, expedited removal procedures now apply nationwide, granting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents increased authority in locations previously considered safe, such as schools and hospitals.
“It’s devastating, not only to the immigrants, but to everybody. Lawful permanent, anybody who pays taxes because all of a sudden we’re going to have bureaucrats going through our tax files and how do they know whether John Doe a is different than John Doe B. People have the same names across the board. So inevitably, we’re going to have problems just like we’re going to have mistakes. We’re going to have people who are victimized by this enforcement mechanism” said David Leopold , immigration expert.
Legal experts highlight that green card holders can face deportation for various reasons, including:
Criminal Convictions: Crimes involving moral turpitude or aggravated felonies can lead to removal proceedings.
Fraud or Misrepresentation: Providing false information during the immigration process, such as entering sham marriages or using fraudulent documents, can result in deportation.
Abandonment of Residency: Extended stays outside the U.S. without maintaining sufficient ties can be interpreted as abandoning permanent resident status.
National Security Concerns: Suspected connections to activities deemed threats to national security can trigger immediate action.
These expanded definitions and enforcement measures have led to increased detentions and deportations of individuals who previously felt secure in their residency status. “Students who might have voiced opinion about the war in Gaza and they were kidnapped off the street by immigration enforcement in plain clothes and masks, that is very scary that’s tactics going on. Under the administration of extended expedited removal, meaning that basically everyone who cannot prove that they have been in the US for two years will be subject to expedited removal”, mentioned Zenobia Lai Executive Director of Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC).
Naturalized Citizens: Emerging Vulnerabilities
Naturalized citizens have traditionally been considered safe from deportation. However, recent developments suggest that even this group is not entirely immune to scrutiny. The current administration has increased efforts to scrutinize the naturalization process, with a focus on identifying instances of fraud or misrepresentation during the application process. While the revocation of citizenship remains rare and legally complex, the heightened attention signals a potential shift in the perceived permanence of naturalized status.
Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are legally permitted to live and work in the U.S. due to conditions in their home countries that prevent safe return. Despite this legal standing, reports have emerged of TPS holders being unlawfully detained. For instance, Venezuelans with TPS have been arrested at their homes, during check-ins, and in public spaces without criminal charges. These detentions occur despite TPS legally prohibiting detention based solely on immigration status.
The Expansion of Enforcement: A Broader Net
The administration’s approach has not only intensified actions against undocumented individuals but has also extended to those with legal standing. Measures such as imposing daily fines of up to $998 for migrants failing to leave after deportation orders, with retroactive application for up to five years, exemplify the stringent policies being enacted. Critics argue that these initiatives aim to instill fear and pressure individuals into “self-deportation,” disproportionately affecting mixed-status households and low-income families.
Furthermore, routine check-ins with ICE, once considered procedural formalities for those complying with immigration laws, have become fraught with uncertainty. Immigrants, including those with pending asylum or humanitarian claims and no criminal records, now face the risk of detention during these appointments. Legal experts advise individuals to attend check-ins accompanied and to prepare for possible detention, reflecting the unpredictable nature of current enforcement practices.
“We can really see day by day how the weakening of rights for immigrant communities, for disfavored communities, has led to the weakening of rights for everyone. ICE officers have already erroneously detained some US citizens, that happened before Trump, but under Trump, this has been happening and without shame (…) All that is to say is, these attacks, these tactics, they’ve existed before the Trump administration, but we’ve really seen an escalation under Trump”, explained Martin Kim, Director of Immigration Advocacy at Advancing Justice | AAJC.
The current immigration enforcement landscape in the U.S. has blurred the lines of security for legal immigrants, green card holders, and naturalized citizens. Expanded definitions of deportable offenses, increased scrutiny of legal statuses, and aggressive enforcement tactics have contributed to a climate of uncertainty and fear among immigrant communities. As policies continue to evolve, it is imperative for individuals to stay informed, seek legal counsel when necessary, and remain vigilant in maintaining compliance with immigration laws to safeguard their residency status.