Visa and Green Card Holders Face Immediate Revocation Under New US Immigration Policy

The US government has implemented a stringent new immigration policy known as "Catch-And-Revoke," effective immediately, which significantly tightens enforcement and eliminates previous safeguards for legal immigrants. 

Spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the policy treats visas and green cards as privileges subject to revocation for violations of US laws or values, marking a notable shift in immigration oversight. Under this one-strike rule, any non-citizen found violating US laws, including green card holders, visa recipients, and international students, faces immediate loss of status without prior warning or avenues for appeal. This marks a sharp departure from previous regulations, which allowed legal immigrants to challenge revocations and rectify minor infractions.

Secretary Rubio, in announcing the policy, stated, "Whenever the government catches non-US citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status. The era of abusing our nation’s generosity is over." 

His statements reflect broader governmental efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, addressing concerns over national security threats and alleged foreign sympathisers engaging in controversial activities within the country. This policy shift follows increased scrutiny of the Biden administration's approach to immigration and national security. Incidents like the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel have intensified discussions on foreign influence and perceived extremist sympathies within US borders. 

Rubio has been vocal about what he views as administrative inaction, citing reports of harassment and violence targeting Jewish students on college campuses, allegedly instigated by non-citizens participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reaffirmed that "receiving a visa or green card is a privilege," warning that any support for violence, terrorism, or extremist ideologies will lead to immediate immigration status revocation. 

The policy has unsettled legal immigrants, who now fear deportation over minor offences. Previously, permanent residency was often seen as a stable path to building a future in the US, but the new landscape has raised concerns about long-term prospects. Indian immigrants, in particular, face high stakes due to per-country quotas on green card issuance, which often result in decades-long waits for permanent residency. Even those who have successfully navigated this process now find themselves vulnerable to deportation for a single violation.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns that these rigid enforcement measures will disproportionately affect those from countries with extensive immigration backlogs, potentially undermining years of legal compliance and patience. A particularly controversial aspect of the new policy is the elimination of legal safeguards. Previously, individuals facing visa or green card revocation could challenge the decision or seek remedies for minor infractions. The "Catch-And-Revoke" policy eliminates these avenues, making deportation an automatic consequence.

Legal experts warn that the new framework could lead to overreach, where immigrants face deportation for offences previously considered minor or rectifiable. The absence of an appeals process intensifies fears that the policy may disproportionately affect immigrants without granting them the ability to argue their case. In defence of its approach, the USCIS emphasises that continuous security vetting remains a top priority. 

"Our rigorous security vetting does not end once you’ve been granted access to the U.S. If you come to our country and break the law, there will be consequences, and you will lose your privileges," the agency stated.