NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, March 28, 2026: A group of immigrant rights organizations has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the rights of green card holders to travel freely without risking their immigration status.
In a joint effort, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Immigrant Defense Project filed a legal brief in a case before the court, Bondi v. Lau. The case could have major implications for lawful permanent residents (green card holders) traveling outside the United States.
At the center of the case is a key question: can the government treat a green card holder returning from abroad as if they are entering the country for the first time? If so, officials could detain or even try to deport them based on suspicion alone, without solid proof of wrongdoing.
The organizations argue that this approach would weaken long-standing legal protections and put millions of green card holders at risk. They say people could be detained, lose their status, or face long legal battles simply for traveling abroad to visit family, seek medical care, or attend to work.
“This case is about whether the government can strip people of their rights based on mere suspicion,” said Rex Chen of LatinoJustice. He warned that such a policy could also lead to racial profiling and unfair treatment of certain communities.
The groups stressed that the right to travel is essential for everyday life, especially for immigrants who maintain close ties to family and culture abroad. They said U.S. immigration law clearly distinguishes between people seeking entry and those who already have legal permanent residency, and that distinction should not be ignored.
Other advocates echoed similar concerns. Noah Baron of Advancing Justice | AAJC said allowing officials to restrict travel without clear standards could lead to arbitrary and discriminatory decisions. Razeen Zaman of AALDEF added that such a move would weaken the meaning of permanent residency, turning it into a status that can be easily taken away.
Nabilah Siddiquee of the Immigrant Defense Project said the issue is especially urgent, pointing to increased immigration enforcement at U.S. airports. She said green card holders should not have to fear detention simply for traveling.
The organizations are urging the Supreme Court to uphold lower court rulings and ensure that green card holders are protected from detention or loss of status based on unproven allegations.
