Why did JD Vance say that green card holders can’t stay in US permanently?
JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, recently sparked controversy by stating that green card holders do not have an indefinite right to remain in the country. His comments were made during an interview on Fox News, where he emphasized that despite the term “permanent” in “Permanent Resident Card,” residency is not guaranteed for life. He stated, “A green card holder doesn’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States”.
Vance’s remarks were made in the context of national security and immigration policy, particularly following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and green card holder, for his involvement in protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Vance argued that if the President or Secretary of State decides someone should not be in the U.S., that individual has no legal right to stay. He framed this issue as one of national community and who is allowed to join it, distancing his comments from free speech concerns.
His statements reflect a broader trend under the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which have increasingly scrutinized the status of green card holders and other non-citizens. Vance’s assertion raises significant questions about the rights and responsibilities associated with green cards, noting that while they provide certain privileges, they are also contingent upon adherence to U.S. laws.
