Yes. A lawful permanent resident can face removal if a statutory ground applies. A green card provides significant rights, but it is not citizenship and does not excuse criminal or immigration violations. Whether a particular event makes someone removable requires the actual statute, records, and procedural history.
Criminal labels are not enough
Section 1227 includes specified criminal grounds involving matters such as certain crimes involving moral turpitude, aggravated felonies, controlled substances, firearms, and domestic-violence-related conduct. Each ground has its own definitions and conditions. A state’s misdemeanor or felony label does not automatically determine the immigration result. [1]
A plea that seems favorable in criminal court can still create serious immigration exposure. Obtain an immigration analysis before accepting it, particularly when the record, sentence, or offense elements can affect the classification.
Noncriminal issues can also matter
Fraud or inadmissibility at the original grant, failure to remove conditions, certain false citizenship claims or voting, and other grounds can raise removal questions. Long foreign absences can separately create abandonment or returning-admission issues. Not every card expiration is a loss of status.
A removal allegation is not the final decision
Removal proceedings generally involve charges before an immigration judge under section 1229a, with the applicable burdens, hearing procedures, and opportunities to seek available relief. Detention, expedited or special procedures, and other exceptions require individual review. [2]
Potential relief depends on factors including residence history, offense type, prior benefits, family circumstances, and statutory bars. There is no universal “ten years with a green card” defense that defeats every charge.
- Obtain the charging document and complete criminal dispositions.
- Keep the admission and residence-grant records.
- Meet hearing and filing deadlines.
- Get advice before signing a document surrendering residence.
- Review travel plans while the issue is unresolved.
Compare green card revocation grounds and procedure and extended travel abroad. ICE detainers concerns a different custody request. A spouse’s citizenship or a long history of tax payments can be relevant to some issues but does not automatically eliminate a legally established removal ground.
Primary sources
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.