CBP Found Over 1,400 Green Card Holders Inadmissible at U.S. Ports of Entry in Five Months During the Trump Administration

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deemed 1,484 green card holders inadmissible at various U.S. ports of entry and airports over a five-month period during the Trump administration. This data was compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC).

This enforcement action targeted lawful permanent residents, leading to various outcomes such as notices to appear in immigration court, parole into the U.S., voluntary withdrawal of green cards, and deportations.

In February, CBP stopped 337 green card holders. Of these, 212 were issued Notices to Appear (NTAs) for immigration court proceedings, and 97 were granted parole for temporary entry. Nineteen individuals voluntarily surrendered their green cards and returned to their home countries from the airport. Additionally, three were placed in expedited removal proceedings, and five were deported with their belongings.

Among Nepali nationals, one green card holder was detained in February and referred to immigration court for deportation proceedings, reflecting targeted enforcement during the early months of the Trump administration. The data does not clarify whether two additional Nepali nationals stopped in January were detained before or after the administration’s transition from Biden.

March saw 352 green card holders deemed inadmissible, with 195 receiving NTAs and 125 granted parole. Twenty-six voluntarily surrendered their green cards, three faced expedited removal, and five were deported with their belongings.

April recorded 257 stops, with 143 NTAs issued and 93 individuals paroled. Nineteen surrendered their green cards voluntarily. In May and June, CBP stopped 269 green card holders each month, issuing NTAs to 138 and 134, respectively, and paroling 102 and 104. Twenty-one and 27 individuals, respectively, voluntarily surrendered their green cards.

Over these five months, a total of 802 NTAs were issued, 521 individuals were paroled, 112 surrendered their green cards, and 16 faced expedited removal or deportation.

Historically, of the 43 Nepali green card holders stopped by CBP in recent years, 14 were granted parole to enter the U.S., with some paroled immediately and others after deferred inspection. Twenty received NTAs for immigration court, with seven detained before referral and the rest released to face deportation proceedings.

Five voluntarily surrendered their green cards and returned to Nepal from the airport, while two were placed in expedited removal. One individual, previously subject to a deportation order, was deported with their belongings, and another was classified under deferred inspection and “no show.”

The data does not specify whether these Nepali nationals held valid or expired green cards. However, reasons for inadmissibility included revoked green cards, extended absences from the U.S. exceeding one year without a re-entry permit, conditional green cards, or criminal histories. Four of the 43 were first-time immigrants on immigrant visas.

Historical data indicates that 18 Nepali green card holders were stopped between October 2018 and February 2025, with additional cases involving immigrant visa holders: one in January 2024, and three in March, July, and December 2018. Single instances were recorded in February 2018, December 2017, June 2017, and May 2017. The remaining Nepali cases occurred earlier.

CBP has deemed over 50,000 green card holders inadmissible at airports, with approximately 22,000 of these occurring after 2018. In 2022, 3,764 green card holders were deemed inadmissible, followed closely by 3,763 in 2024. Other significant figures include 3,330 in 2021, 3,179 in 2023, and 3,076 in 2019. For 2025, the data for the first nine months indicates 2,739 stops, while 2020 recorded 2,411.

Green card holders who travel outside the United States and return within six months generally face no issues. Under U.S. immigration law, absences of less than six months are typically considered temporary, preserving lawful permanent resident (LPR) status unless other factors, such as criminal history, apply. However, immigration attorneys warn that in certain circumstances, green card holders may encounter re-entry challenges.

CBP has the authority to detain LPRs with legal issues such as active deportation notices or criminal warrants. In particular, green card holders with a pending Notice to Appear (NTA) for deportation proceedings may be taken into custody upon returning to the U.S. Legal experts advise such individuals to exercise caution, as an NTA initiates removal proceedings, making them subject to CBP detention.

Additionally, green card holders with a two-year conditional green card whose application to remove conditions has been denied may face entry bans, even if their passport bears an I-551 stamp (ADIT). If Form I-751 is denied, LPR status is terminated, rendering the I-551 stamp invalid and leading to possible denial of entry by CBP.

New York-based Immigration attorney Basu Phulara says that if a two-year green card holder’s application to remove conditions is denied, the I-551 stamp becomes meaningless, and travel with such a stamp could result in an entry ban. Even during an appeal, individuals can request this stamp, but their re-entry is not guaranteed.

Immigration attorneys strongly advise green card holders with an issued NTA to avoid international travel. This applies especially to those convicted of crimes, individuals who have violated immigration laws, those whose application to remove green card conditions has been denied, or those whose citizenship application was rejected due to fraud—leading to potential revocation of their green card. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) typically issues an NTA in such cases, initiating deportation proceedings.

Phulara also warns that green card holders with a criminal record, even if not currently in deportation proceedings, could face entry bans. CBP may detain such individuals and initiate deportation if they have committed crimes like theft, fraud, domestic violence, drug offenses, violent crimes, or multiple offenses resulting in a combined prison sentence exceeding five years. He advises those with a criminal background to seek legal counsel before traveling.

Furthermore, absences of more than six months can raise concerns about an LPR’s continuous residency. Green card holders who stay abroad for more than six months but less than a year should be cautious. Phulara recommends returning within six months whenever possible and obtaining a re-entry permit (Form I-131) for longer stays.

Traveling while a U.S. citizenship application or green card renewal is pending can complicate the process, making legal consultation advisable. Additionally, green card holders who have failed to file taxes, fraudulently obtained government benefits, or violated immigration laws should be particularly cautious when traveling.

Phulara notes that if the U.S. imposes stricter travel restrictions under the new administration, green card holders traveling to certain countries may face entry bans.

To minimize risks, Phulara advises green card holders to check the validity of their green card before traveling and avoid prolonged stays outside the U.S. without proper documentation. He emphasizes the importance of filing U.S. taxes, maintaining a permanent U.S. address, and ensuring employment continuity. Additionally, keeping records such as lease agreements or mortgages can help demonstrate strong ties to the U.S. He urges green card holders to be honest with CBP officers during re-entry interviews to avoid complications.