US Cheap Trick Against NRIs: Green Cards at Risk

Imagine landing in the US after years as a legal green card holder, only to be told, out of nowhere, to give it all up. That’s exactly what one Indian LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) claims happened at JFK.

According to a post, the person had a single DUI from 2022, no jail time, no further trouble. But when they arrived last month, CBP (Customs and Border Protection) pulled them into secondary inspection and pushed a form called I‑407.

It’s labeled “voluntary abandonment of permanent residency.” It means that if you sign it, your green card is gone immediately, without hearing or an appeal.

He didn’t sign it, knowing his rights. But many do comply with the officers’ demands without fully understanding what’s happening.

This isn’t the first case. In recent months, elderly Indian green card holders, some gone for just over a year, were reportedly asked to surrender their status on the spot.

Some say they were threatened with detention if they refused. One lawyer described it bluntly, “They’re being worn down and coerced.”

What’s worse, these forms are presented as routine. CBP doesn’t explain that you have the right to say no. You can ask to see a judge or your lawyer. That you’re not required to give up your future in America because of one mistake.

The warning is clear for green card holders. Be alert, know your rights, and whatever you do, don’t sign anything at the airport without legal advice.