US Vice President JD Vance has sparked a fresh debate on immigration after he said that a green card holder doesn't have the right to an indefinite stay in the country.
Officially known as Permanent Resident Cards, green cards grant foreign nationals the right to live and work in the US. However, despite the name, "permanent residency" is not an absolute guarantee of a green card holder's permanent stay in the US.
"A green card holder doesn't have an indefinite right to be in the United States," Vance said in an interview with Fox News.
"This is not about 'free speech.' Yes, it's about national security but more importantly, it's about who we, as American citizens, decide gets to join our national community," he added.
American laws allow for the revocation of a green card under certain circumstances, including criminal activity, prolonged absence from the country, or failure to comply with immigration regulations.
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US To Give 'Gold Cards'
The remark by Vance comes weeks after US President Donald Trump announced that the country would sell a "gold card" to wealthy foreigners. The card will give the holder the right to live and work in the US and offer a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee.
“We’re going to be selling a gold card,” Trump said from the Oval Office last month.
“You have a green card. This is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that’s going to give you green card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card," he said.
Trump further said that the existing immigration system has hindered top international talent, especially from India, from staying in the US after completing their education at elite universities.
"A person comes from India, China, Japan, and other countries, attends Harvard or the Wharton School of Finance... they receive job offers, but the offer is immediately revoked because there's no certainty about whether that person can stay in the country," he said.