What Green Card Holders Should Be Doing in Light of Recent Changes
May 8, 2025
In recent months, many immigration advocates have noticed a sharp change in tone and policy from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Traditionally, USCIS has operated as a benefits agency—reviewing applications for green cards, citizenship, work permits, and more. It functioned similarly to the Social Security Administration: you submit an application, they review it, and a decision is made based on eligibility. But that role is shifting. Dramatically.
LaToya McBean Pompy, who immigrated to the United States herself, was inspired to help families unite by founding McBean Law, a New York immigration law firm. If you or a loved one needs assistance with denaturalization issues or visa applications, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. You can contact us here or call (914) 898-9488 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of experienced immigration attorneys, who are ready to guide you through every step of the process.
USCIS Is Starting to Sound Like ICE
Recent tweets from USCIS have raised red flags among individuals. The agency’s tone has become noticeably more aggressive, and its messaging increasingly resembles that of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—a stark contrast from its former role.
Here are a few key examples:
On April 29, 2025, USCIS tweeted:
“Everyone should be on notice. If you’re a guest in our country, act like it.”
They went on to emphasize that green cards and visas are a privilege, not a right, and warned of increased social media vetting to detect national security risks.
On April 30, 2025, another tweet stated:
“Green cards and visas will be revoked if an alien breaks the law.”
Again, permanent residents were grouped with temporary visa holders—a conflation that deeply concerns legal experts.
Most recently, USCIS reiterated its threat:
“Having a visa or green card is a privilege that can be taken away.”
While no one denies that immigration benefits can be revoked for serious violations, the language USCIS is using signals a cultural shift. Green card holders, lawful permanent residents, are being publicly referred to as “guests.” That’s not just a semantic choice, it reflects a broader redefinition of their status.
Why This Matters
Green card holders are not simply guests. By law, they are permanent residents with specific legal rights. These rights include the ability to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely, protection under U.S. laws and the Constitution, eligibility for certain public benefits, and the opportunity to apply for citizenship after meeting residency and other requirements.
Green card holders are not the same as temporary visa holders and treating them as such in public messaging undermines their legal status. It also creates fear and confusion in immigrant communities already dealing with complex and often stressful immigration processes.
You can learn more about the recent changes at USCIS by watching Attorney LaToya McBean Pompy’s YouTube video “USCIS Has Changed (Unscripted).” You’ll find out about the potential challenges green card holders may face, the importance of understanding your rights, and practical steps you can take to navigate this evolving landscape.
