Can my green card be revoked if I commit a crime?

What the Law Says

Federal immigration law lists specific crimes that make a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) deportable or inadmissible — which can lead to revocation of status and removal from the U.S.

Under 8 U.S.C. § 1182, certain noncitizens — including green card holders facing reentry or adjustment — are deemed 'inadmissible' if they have committed particular crimes. While § 1182 primarily applies at entry or adjustment, its grounds often overlap with deportation grounds under § 1227, and criminal convictions can trigger both inadmissibility and removal proceedings.

A green card holder convicted of an 'aggravated felony' (as defined by immigration law, not state law) is automatically deportable — regardless of sentence length or time since conviction. Similarly, any conviction for a violation of any law relating to a controlled substance (except a single offense of simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana) makes a person inadmissible.

Two or more convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMT), not arising out of a single scheme of misconduct, also render a person inadmissible — even if no jail time was served. A single CIMT may also trigger inadmissibility if it carries a potential sentence of one year or more.

Statutory Text

any alien convicted of an aggravated felony at any time after admission is inadmissible

— 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(iii) — Criminal grounds

Statutory Text

any alien convicted of a violation of (or a conspiracy or attempt to violate) any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance

— 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) — Controlled substances

Statutory Text

any alien convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude, not arising out of a single scheme of criminal misconduct

— 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) — Crimes involving moral turpitude

Sources