Trump Era Trouble for Indians: DOJ Statement Triggers Panic Among Green Card Holders

International News: Some very worrying news has come out about millions of Indian migrants settled in America. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently made a statement in a federal court that has stagnated the confidence of the 'Green Card' holders.

The department has said that the Attorney General of America has a 'full right' that they may have been canceled anytime - why they have passed the Green Card—well. This statement is now forcing the overseas Indian community to live under the shadow of uncertainty and fear.

Debate started with an Imam, impacting on millions

The entire controversy is related to the case of Mohammad Katani, an imam from New Jersey. Katani was refused a green card in 2006, as he was suspected of having a relationship with a banned organization. However, this charge could never be proved in the court. Now, during the hearing of this case, DOJ argued in the court that if there is an administrative lapse, the government can ever cancel someone's green card—even if the person has lived a life in America for decades.

No deadline, no durability: Doj's legal stance shocking

Doj's lawyer Lindsay Murphy clearly stated that no deadline applies to the right to cancel the green card. In response to a question asked in the court, he said, "Whether someone has received a green card 10 years, 20 years, or 50 years ago, if an administrative or technical lapse is found in his process, it can be canceled."

The meaning of this statement is that the citizenship situation of millions of migrants settled on US soil for decades is now completely stuck.

An atmosphere of fear among overseas Indians 

After this statement, restlessness has spread among the Green Card holders settled by America from many countries, including India. Professionals, especially those on the H-1B visa to the Green Card, are no longer a guarantee of security even after their long struggle.

"We follow the rules for years, pay taxes, contribute to society, and now we are being told that our green card is not permanent," an Indian software engineer said while talking to the New York Times.

What do immigration experts say?

Immigration Professor Stephen Yale-Lohar, Cornell Law School, The basis of cancellation of a green card is usually related to criminal activity, fraud, or terrorism. But now Doj is also connecting it to technical mistakes, which can become a very dangerous example."

Many lawyers and policy experts have also warned that this will make the process of permanent residence in the US uncertain.

Why is this statement important in the backdrop of Indo-US relations?

This DOJ statement came at a time when the relationship between India and America has increased. America's reaction after India's Operation Sindoor, its role in getting loans from the IMF to Pakistan, and its role in arms supply to Pakistan have already raised doubts. Along with this, after Donald Trump became president, the visa and immigration process became more difficult for Indians.

What do migrants do? How to ensure safety?

Immigration experts are giving advice that

• Regularly check all your documents and immigration records
• If there is a mistake in any old form or application, then fix it immediately
• Get opinion from a professional immigration lawyer
• Contact public representatives and immigration organizations against this attitude of Doj

Danger bell for green card holders

This new stance of the US Department of Justice is not only a danger bell for the green card holders but also raises the entire structure of immigration in the US. In such a situation, the Indian community needs to be more vigilant, because now permanent residence is no longer "permanent."