The Unsettling Reality: U.S. Deportation of Green Card Holders in 2025

In recent months, the United States has witnessed a surge in immigration enforcement measures that have raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates across the nation. One of the most controversial aspects of this crackdown is the detention and deportation of green card holders—legal permanent residents who, in many cases, have lived in the U.S. for decades, built families, and contributed to society. This blog post delves into the complexities of this issue, exploring the policies, personal stories, legal frameworks, and broader implications of deporting green card holders. Drawing from recent news and public sentiment, we aim to shed light on this polarizing topic and its impact on individuals and communities.

The Context: A New Wave of Immigration Enforcement

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term, the administration has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of its agenda, promising the “largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.” According to reports, over 100,000 individuals have been deported in the initial months of 2025, with many actions facilitated by the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—a rarely used law that grants the president broad authority to detain and deport noncitizens without judicial oversight during times of war or national emergency. While the administration’s focus has primarily been on undocumented immigrants, green card holders—legal residents with the right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely—have not been exempt from this aggressive enforcement.

This escalation has been accompanied by new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protocols, including intensified social media monitoring and ideological vetting. Reports indicate that some legal residents have faced deportation or denial of reentry based on their online activity or perceived political affiliations. The use of such measures has sparked concerns about overreach, with critics arguing that these policies infringe on free speech and due process, particularly for green card holders who are afforded certain legal protections under U.S. law.

Who Are Green Card Holders?

Green card holders, or lawful permanent residents (LPRs), are immigrants who have been granted the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. They are often on a path to citizenship, enjoy many of the same rights as U.S. citizens (such as protection under U.S. laws), and are subject to certain obligations, like paying taxes. However, their status can be revoked under specific circumstances, such as committing certain crimes, violating immigration laws, or engaging in activities deemed to have “adverse foreign policy consequences.”

While green card holders are generally considered secure in their status, recent policies have introduced uncertainty. The Trump administration has made it clear that LPRs are not immune to its deportation agenda, particularly those with criminal records—however minor or dated—or those flagged for ideological reasons. This shift has led to high-profile cases that highlight the human cost of these policies.

High-Profile Cases: Stories of Detained Green Card Holders

1. Victor Avila’s Detention
   Victor Avila, a 66-year-old legal assistant who has held a green card since 1967, was detained by ICE in May 2025 at San Francisco International Airport after returning from a visit to his son, a U.S. Air Force servicemember stationed in Japan. Avila, who has lived in the U.S. for over five decades, was shocked to find himself facing a deportation hearing scheduled for July 15 at a facility near Bakersfield, California. His case has drawn attention due to his long-term residency and lack of criminal history, raising questions about the rationale behind targeting such individuals.
2. Mahmoud Khalil’s Fight Against Deportation
   Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist and green card holder, was detained in March 2025 for what the Trump administration cited as “adverse foreign policy consequences” related to his pro-Palestinian activism. A federal judge in New Jersey issued a preliminary injunction on June 11, 2025, blocking his deportation on these grounds, arguing that the government’s case rested on shaky claims about his green card application rather than substantive evidence. Khalil’s case underscores concerns about the targeting of green card holders for their political beliefs or speech, with some activists on platforms like X claiming that the U.S. is “extrajudicially deporting green card holders for speech.”
3. Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Wrongful Deportation
   Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Salvadoran green card holder living in Maryland, was deported to El Salvador in March 2025, despite a 2019 court order barring his removal due to fears of persecution. The Trump administration alleged he was affiliated with the MS-13 gang, a claim his family denies. His deportation to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador has prompted outrage, with Senator Chris Van Hollen traveling to the country to investigate. This case highlights the risks of erroneous deportations and the lack of due process in some instances.
4. Other Cases
   Additional reports include a 31-year-old Argentinian green card holder detained in Georgia despite having lived in the U.S. since childhood, and a Cuban mother living legally under the Biden-era CHNV parole program who now fears deportation. These stories illustrate the broad scope of the administration’s policies, which have affected not only undocumented immigrants but also those with legal status.

Legal Framework: Can Green Card Holders Be Deported?

The legal basis for deporting green card holders is complex but well-established. While LPRs have significant protections, their status can be revoked under specific conditions, including:

• Criminal Convictions: Green card holders can face deportation for committing “aggravated felonies” or crimes of “moral turpitude.” However, recent reports indicate that ICE is increasingly targeting individuals with minor or long-resolved criminal records, causing alarm among immigration attorneys.
• Fraud or Misrepresentation: Omitting or misrepresenting information on a green card application can lead to revocation. For example, the government has cited alleged omissions in Mahmoud Khalil’s application, though a judge found this justification insufficient.
• Adverse Foreign Policy Consequences: The government can deport green card holders if the Secretary of State determines their presence poses “adverse foreign policy consequences.” This vague criterion has been criticized for its potential to target individuals based on political activism, as seen in Khalil’s case.
• Violation of Immigration Status: Actions such as overstaying a visa prior to obtaining a green card or engaging in unauthorized work can jeopardize LPR status, though such cases are rare.

The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 has further complicated the legal landscape. This law, invoked to expedite deportations, allows the president to detain and deport noncitizens without a hearing in certain circumstances, raising concerns about due process violations. Critics argue that its application to green card holders is particularly egregious, given their legal status.

Public Reaction and Criticism

The deportation of green card holders has sparked widespread criticism from advocacy groups, legal experts, and the public. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted June 11–12, 2025, found that while 52% of Americans (including 90% of Republicans and 20% of Democrats) support deportations of undocumented immigrants, the targeting of legal residents like green card holders is more contentious.

• Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have condemned the administration’s policies as a “hurricane of horrors,” arguing that they violate human rights and due process. The ACLU has highlighted cases like Mahmoud Khalil’s to underscore the risks to lawful residents.
• Immigrant Communities: Green card holders are increasingly fearful of traveling abroad, as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stepped up criminal background checks at ports of entry. Immigration attorneys report a surge in inquiries from LPRs worried about reentry.
• Political Figures: Some Trump supporters, like Tiffany Thompson, whose sister was killed by alleged noncitizen perpetrators, have expressed frustration that the administration is not focusing enough on deporting criminals, instead casting a wide net that ensnares legal residents. Others, like Senator Chris Van Hollen, have taken action to investigate wrongful deportations.

On platforms like X, sentiment reflects deep division. Some users defend the administration’s hardline stance, arguing that it strengthens national security. Others, like @alpeh_v, claim that green card holders are being targeted for their speech, citing invasive border policies and detentions based on “suspected incorrect speech.”

The Broader Implications

The deportation of green card holders raises profound questions about the balance between national security and individual rights. While the administration argues that its policies are necessary to “restore integrity to the immigration system,” critics contend that they erode trust in the legal immigration process and destabilize communities.

• Impact on Families: Many green card holders have U.S. citizen spouses, children, or other family members. Deportations disrupt these families, as seen in cases like Valdiney Goncalves, who was detained while awaiting green card approval, leaving his wife to advocate for his release.
• Chilling Effect on Free Speech: The targeting of individuals like Mahmoud Khalil for their activism has raised alarms about free speech. Posts on X suggest that even foreign lawyers are using burner phones to avoid scrutiny at U.S. borders, reflecting a broader climate of fear.
• Economic and Social Costs: Green card holders contribute significantly to the U.S. economy and society. Deporting long-term residents like Victor Avila, who has worked as a legal assistant for decades, removes valuable contributors and sends a message that legal status is not a guarantee of security.
• International Relations: The deportation of green card holders to countries like El Salvador, where they may face persecution, has strained diplomatic relations. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, deported despite a court order, has prompted calls for accountability from foreign governments and human rights organizations.

What Can Be Done?

Addressing the deportation of green card holders requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Legal Challenges: Advocacy groups and attorneys are filing lawsuits to block deportations, as seen in Mahmoud Khalil’s case. Federal judges have already issued injunctions against some deportations, signaling that the judiciary may act as a check on executive overreach.
2. Legislative Reform: Advocates are calling for Congress to clarify the protections afforded to green card holders, particularly regarding vague criteria like “adverse foreign policy consequences.” Strengthening due process protections could prevent arbitrary detentions.
3. Public Awareness: Raising awareness through media and grassroots campaigns can pressure policymakers to reconsider broad deportation policies. Stories like Victor Avila’s and Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s have already garnered significant attention, amplifying calls for change.
4. International Advocacy: Engaging with foreign governments and international organizations can help ensure that deportees are not sent to unsafe conditions, as in the case of El Salvador’s mega-prison.

The deportation of green card holders in 2025 represents a troubling chapter in U.S. immigration policy. While the Trump administration argues that its actions are necessary to secure the nation, the human toll—families torn apart, communities destabilized, and legal residents living in fear—cannot be ignored. The cases of Victor Avila, Mahmoud Khalil, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and others highlight the need for a more nuanced approach that respects the rights of lawful permanent residents while addressing legitimate security concerns.

As the debate continues, it is crucial to amplify the voices of those affected and hold policymakers accountable for the consequences of their actions. The United States has long prided itself on being a nation of immigrants, but the current wave of deportations challenges that identity. By fostering dialogue, supporting legal challenges, and advocating for fair policies, we can work toward a future where legal residents are not punished for their contributions, beliefs, or mere presence.