Two executive orders issued by US President Donald Trump have indefinitely suspended the processing of Green Card applications for political asylum seekers and refugees in the name of national security. As a result, over a million foreign nationals, including thousands of Bangladeshis, face uncertainty in their quest for safe residency in the United States.
Experts warn that unless these orders are reversed, applicants will not be spared from the ongoing crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration matters, told the media that Trump and his administration are prioritizing national security. He claimed that during former President Joe Biden’s tenure, numerous criminals, terrorists, and drug traffickers entered the US illegally, posing a serious threat to society. Some of these undocumented immigrants have allegedly committed violent crimes, including murder, and have been arrested for theft and robbery.
However, Azadeh Erfani, director of the National Immigration Justice Center, dismissed these claims as baseless. She argued that the Trump administration is taking a misguided approach by labeling all immigrants as national security threats, which contradicts the fundamental principles of the United States.
Due to these policies, the waiting period for political asylum seekers is expected to extend far beyond the usual 8 to 10 months. This delay also makes them vulnerable to Trump’s anti-immigration measures. While Trump has vowed to target only undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records, reports suggest that even Green Card holders and visa holders have faced arrest and deportation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently revealed that more than 300 international students have had their visas revoked, including a Green Card-holding student who was arrested for leading protests against Israeli aggression in Gaza.
According to recent data, from October 2023 to September 2024—the final year of Biden’s presidency—76,800 foreigners applied for political asylum, while 40,000 sought Green Cards as refugees. These applications were pending hearings but are now indefinitely on hold.
Officials from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) informed this correspondent on March 28 that millions of previously pending cases now face an uncertain future. Among these applicants are a significant number of Bangladeshis who sought political asylum due to their affiliations with the BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, or LDP.
Besides, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in the student-led uprising of July-August, many leaders and activists from the ruling Awami League have also applied for political asylum. Attorneys warn that their applications may now also be at risk.
Meanwhile, human rights and immigration advocacy groups have condemned Trump’s executive orders as inhumane and are preparing legal challenges against them.
USCIS sources indicate that the risk of deportation for Green Card holders is increasing, prompting a surge in citizenship applications. Green Card holders are rushing to apply for US citizenship, fearing potential deportation under Trump’s policies, which bypass existing legal norms.
Currently, more than 13 million individuals hold Green Cards in the US, granting them the legal right to live and work permanently. However, under immigration law, Green Card holders can be deported if convicted of serious crimes. In such cases, an immigration judge issues the revocation order. Similarly, naturalized citizens can have their citizenship revoked if found guilty of severe offenses, though this is rare.
Despite widespread criticism, Trump administration officials have targeted pro-Palestine student protesters on college campuses. This has led to widespread debate, yet immigration authorities continue arrests and visa cancellations without hesitation.
Government data suggests that among the 13 million Green Card holders in the US, at least 10.8 million are eligible for citizenship. The highest concentration of these applicants is in Arizona, where 193,000 individuals are seeking naturalization.
Lablu Ansar, USA
BDST: 1537 HRS, MAR 30, 2025
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