Topic: Green Card

A personal anecdote from a trip to Rotterdam involves interactions with Somali Uber drivers who expressed negative opinions of Ilhan Omar. The conversation shifts to the difficulties of the U.S. immigration process, noting that green card applicants are currently required to prove COVID-19 vaccination.

A new Department of Homeland Security memo requires non-immigrants in the U.S. to return to their home countries to apply for green cards. This policy shift aims to return to the original intent of immigration law and impacts students, temporary workers, and tourists. While immigration attorneys warn of potential lawsuits and family disruptions, the hosts support the move as a way to prevent people from staying indefinitely during processing.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the Brown University shooter, Claudio Neves Valente, entered the U.S. through the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV1) lottery program in 2017. At the direction of President Trump, Noem announced an immediate pause on the DV1 program to prevent further harm to Americans. The shooter had previously been in the U.S. on a student visa before obtaining permanent resident status.

The "Trump Gold Card" program is introduced, offering expedited U.S. residency for a $1 million contribution and a "Platinum Card" for $5 million that offers tax advantages on non-U.S. income. The website, Trumpcard.gov, is described as having a highly professional, credit-card-style design. The segment also touches on Trump's "Oval Sesh" (session) and his use of modern slang like "sus."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the revocation of student visas for individuals involved in pro-Hamas activities on college campuses. Rubio argued that students who lie on visa applications or participate in the illegal takeover of university buildings forfeit their right to remain in the country. The administration is expanding this policy to include the revocation of green cards for those deemed a threat to foreign policy interests.

Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS has waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for applicants seeking adjustment of status to lawful permanent residency. This policy change means the Form I-693 medical examination no longer requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The move resolves a significant hurdle for many legal immigrants who had previously faced potential denial based on their vaccination status.

The Biden administration is reportedly using bird flu concerns as a justification for new immigration policies. Because many farm workers are undocumented and fear deportation, the administration is proposing "parole-in-place" and work permits for long-term residents married to U.S. citizens. This move is seen by critics as a way to legalize millions of immigrants and secure future voters.

The New York City Council is considering a bill to allow 800,000 non-citizens with green cards or work permits to vote in local elections. The hosts debate the merits of local voting rights for property owners versus temporary residents.

A host describes a visit to the Texas compound of journalist Lara Logan and her husband, Joe, an ex-military operative. The household functions as a high-energy command center where a team is working to rescue 600 American citizens and 5,000 green card holders from Afghanistan while Logan simultaneously coordinates her Fox Nation documentaries and border reporting.

Shep Smith interviews former Assistant Secretary of Defense Mary Beth Long on CNBC regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal. Long asserts that the administration lied about the "vast majority" of people getting out, noting that thousands of green card holders and SIV holders were left behind. Smith is praised for his uncharacteristically harsh questioning of the administration's credibility.

Italy has implemented a "Green Pass" requirement for indoor venues including restaurants, museums, and gyms. In France, the Labour Minister announced that employees suspended for lacking a health pass would not be eligible for unemployment benefits. The segment notes that while some Italians have protested these rules as violations of civil liberties, vaccination rates in the EU have surged following the implementation of these mandates.

A donor known as "Anonymous Lesbian" shares her experience of moving to the United States and spending $18,000 on legal fees for a green card. She expresses frustration with "libtard" colleagues who support open borders while she undergoes the rigorous legal process. The hosts discuss the "lesbian erasure" phenomenon and internal conflicts within the LGBTQ community.

The Department of State announced that the 2019 Diversity Visa entry period was temporarily closed due to a technical glitch, invalidating entries submitted between October 3 and October 10. The program, which offers 55,000 permanent resident cards annually, is criticized for its "luck-based" nature. A satirical proposal suggests turning the lottery into a televised game show titled "Win, Lose, or Be Deported."

A theory circulated on social media suggesting Trump leaked the 2005 return because it was a year he sponsored Melania for citizenship, requiring "squeaky clean" tax records. Adam Curry dismisses this theory based on his own experience with the immigration process, noting that the IRS does not perform such deep audits for green card petitions.

The hosts analyze the timing of the immigration executive order, noting it was officially dated January 30, 2017, despite protests beginning earlier. They clarify that green card holders are technically on probation and do not have the same rights as citizens, including the right to vote. A host shares a personal anecdote about being barred from the Schengen zone despite having valid documentation.

A producer reports from Dulles Airport, describing organized protest groups using "mic checks" and chants reminiscent of Occupy Wall Street. The ACLU is identified as a primary organizer of the legal challenges and demonstrations. The hosts dispute a protest chant claiming green card holders cannot be deported, asserting that permanent residents can be removed for various legal violations.

Donations from Kevin Strange in the UK and Marco Strauss in Ithaca, New York, are acknowledged. Strauss requested "Jobs, Relationship, and Green Card Karma" for 2017, highlighting the diverse personal needs of the global listener base.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing significant fee increases for various immigration forms. The cost to register for permanent residence (Form I-485) is rising to $1,140, while the fee for a fiancé petition (Form I-129F) is increasing by 57%. These high costs are cited as a primary reason why many individuals struggle to navigate the legal immigration process.

During an MSNBC town hall with Rachel Maddow, Hillary Clinton called for an end to family detention and private prisons while advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. The discussion questions the "path to citizenship" rhetoric, noting that legal pathways like green cards already exist.

A Canadian resident described a three-hour detention at a Border Patrol checkpoint in West Texas after failing to carry her green card. The incident sparked a debate on whether the detention was a result of racial profiling or a standard enforcement of federal law.