United States Citizenship and Immigration Services intensifies control over visa and green card holders; agency warns it monitors social media, can revoke residency for law violations

May 8, 2025 (CE Noticias Financieras) –

The United States intensifies immigration policies with new warnings to visa and green card holders. Social media surveillance and border controls have increased uncertainty among legal residents (Canva/Canva).

U.S. immigration authorities sent new warnings to visa and green card holders. The measures reflect the tightening of immigration control promoted by Donald Trump's administration.

These actions caused increased fear among millions of legal residents, especially those traveling abroad or in the process of renewing their immigration status.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported that it evaluates the behavior of foreigners and reminded that permanent residency does not represent a right, but a privilege.

It pointed out that it can revoke this benefit if the holder violates the law, promotes extremist ideologies, works without permission or violates the terms of his or her stay.

Among those affected is Argentinean Agustin Gentile, 31. Gentile was arrested at Los Angeles airport after returning from an international trip.

Authorities detected a legal record in his file. He was then transferred to a local jail and subsequently to Stewart Detention Center in Georgia .

Gentile has lived for 18 years in the United States , where he raised a family in Raleigh, North Carolina . He has two children born in the country, ages six and eight.

The Argentine consulate in Atlanta has been following her case since April 21 . Her parents, Martin Verdi and Debora Rey , are in Georgia awaiting a resolution. They claimed to have supported Trump's immigration policy in the past.

USCIS also highlighted its social media surveillance policy. It warned that it examines posts that could pose a threat to national security or public order.

Since March, the agency has required green card applicants to turn over their social media accounts. This information will be used in verification and investigative processes.

In April, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new line of screening. It will deny applications for immigration benefits if it detects anti-Semitic content that could be associated with support for terrorism.

According to immigration attorney Michael Wildes , more and more lawful permanent residents are consulting because of the risk of being detained. He explained that any offense, even a minor one, can result in denial of entry or deportation.

He also indicated that those who stay more than six months out of the country without authorization could raise suspicions or lose progress in the citizenship process.

Wildes recommended that residents who plan to leave the country for an extended period of time apply for a re-entry permit in order to protect their immigration status. This document allows a stay outside the U.S. for up to two years and demonstrates that the person has not renounced his or her legal residency.

Tightening immigration policies has become a priority for Trump's re-election campaign. Among his proposals are massive deportations, more border controls and the end of federal benefits for migrants who enter without authorization.

According to official data, as of January 1, 2024 , there were 12.8 million legal permanent residents in the United States , an increase of 70,000 from the previous year. However, uncertainty about the future of many of them continues to grow.

*The creation of this content was assisted by artificial intelligence. The source of this information is from a Grupo de Diarios America (GDA) media outlet and reviewed by an editor for accuracy. The content was not automatically generated.