‘Green card holder doesn’t have indefinite right to be in US, Americans decide’, says JD Vance, stirs fresh immigration debate

“This is not fundamentally about free speech,” he added. “Yes, it’s about national security, but more importantly, it’s about who we, as an American public, decide gets to join our national community.”

Green cards grant foreign nationals the right to live and work in the US, but Vance emphasised that residency is not a lifetime guarantee. He argued that if the president and secretary of state decide someone should no longer stay, “they have no legal right to be here—it’s as simple as that.”

His comments come as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, recently detaining pro-Palestinian activist and permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump recently unveiled a new immigration proposal—the ‘gold card’ programme—which would allow foreign nationals to buy the right to live and work in the United States for a $5 million fee.

“We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump said recently from the Oval Office. “You have a green card. This is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about USD 5 million, and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship.”

The initiative aims to attract top international talent, particularly from countries like India and China, by offering a fast-track option to permanent residency and citizenship. Trump argued that the current immigration system discourages highly skilled graduates from elite US universities from staying in the country due to visa uncertainties.

“A person comes from India, China, Japan, and other countries, attends Harvard or the Wharton School of Finance… they receive job offers, but the offer is immediately revoked because there’s no certainty about whether that person can stay in the country,” he said.

The ‘gold card’ programme, expected to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa, would allow both individuals and companies to purchase the cards, potentially generating billions in revenue and helping pay down national debt.

Recent data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) highlights the growing demand for US work visas, with Indian nationals receiving 72.3 per cent of all H-1B visas issued between October 2022 and September 2023.

Rights and responsibilities of Green Card Holders

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), green card holders have certain rights and responsibilities while residing in the United States.

Rights:
✅ Live Permanently in the US – As long as they do not commit deportable offenses.
✅ Work in Any Legal Job – Except for certain positions restricted to US citizens due to security concerns.
✅ Legal Protections – They are protected by all US laws, including federal, state, and local regulations.

Responsibilities:
⚠ Obey All US Laws – Including state and local regulations.
⚠ File Income Tax Returns – Green card holders must report their income to the IRS and state tax authorities.
⚠ Support Democratic Government – Though they cannot vote in elections, they are expected to uphold democratic principles.
⚠ Register for Selective Service – Males aged 18-25 must register for potential military service.