The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has warned that green card holders with past criminal records face the risk of revocation of their status as lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and a subsequent deportation.
In an advisory on Tuesday, immigration authorities reminded the LPRs that possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right.
“Attention Green Card Holders: Having a criminal history does not make you an upstanding lawful permanent resident,” the CBP said.
“Under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke your green card if our laws are broken and abused.”
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The agency added that lawful permanent residents who present themselves at a US port of entry with prior criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention.
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, there are about 12.8 million LPRs living in the US.
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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.
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.
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