ICYMI: US Warns Green Card Holders, Says People With Criminal Records Risk Deportation

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has cautioned lawful permanent residents that Green Cards may be revoked and holders removed from the country if they have prior criminal convictions.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the agency reiterated that permanent residency is a privilege, not a right, and violations of U.S. laws can lead to immigration consequences, including deportation.

“Attention Green Card Holders: Having a criminal history does not make you an upstanding lawful permanent resident,” CBP stated.

The agency emphasized that U.S. law gives the government authority to revoke residency status where the law is “broken and abused.”

It also warned that lawful permanent residents arriving at U.S. ports of entry with previous criminal convictions could face mandatory detention in addition to immigration removal proceedings.

CBP said the warning reflects an ongoing effort by US immigration agencies to enforce stricter standards on green card holders who violate the law amid a broader crackdown on immigration.

According to a 2024 Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) report, about 12.8 million LPRs are living in the US.

The exact current number of Nigerian green card holders in the US is unclear, but data from the OHSS shows that Nigerians rank among the top African countries who are LPRs, with estimates typically in the range of tens of thousands each year.

Recall that between 2021 – 2023, Nigeria was ranked 15 out of the top 20 countries whose citizens were granted US green cards, with some 40,000 Nigerians as recipients during that period.

It was also the only African country in the top 20.