2025 has been a year of fear and confusion for green card holders in the United States. Although green card holders enjoy lawful permanent resident status in the US and have full legal rights to live and work in the country, some events during the year have brought them into the spotlight. The Trump administration’s crackdown on the migrant population has not left even the green card holders untouched.
Green Card holders now face a significantly more complex compliance scenario, which includes harsher residency restrictions and marital verification criteria, as well as renewed investigations, extended biometric requirements, and more difficult naturalization tests.
Here are 9 major changes that green card holders need to be aware of that can protect their U.S. permanent residency in 2026 and beyond.
1. Revoking Citizenship
The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to revoke citizenship from certain naturalized citizens, marking a more aggressive approach to immigration policy. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has been directed to provide the Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 cases of denaturalization each month for fiscal year 2026, a stark increase from over 120 cases filed from 2017 to the present.
2. Re-entry into the US as a Green Card Holder
Green Card holders may be denied reentry to the US if they do not return to the US within 12 months. For longer stays outside the US, they are suspected of having abandoned US Residency by taking up residence in a different country.
Which is why it’s highly recommended that you obtain a re-entry permit before you travel internationally for durations greater than 12 months. Re-entry Permits are valid for up to 2 years following the date of issuance. Filling Form I-131 will get you the Re-entry Permit, and you will be required to show the permit if entering the US after more than 12 months of international travel.
3. Spousal Sponsorship rules tightened by USCIS
Nearly 40% of new LPRs (Lawful Permanent Residency) are made up of family-based immigration. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revised its rules to be able to better authenticate and confirm the legality of familial relationships, particularly marriages in Green Card petitions.
Spouses of US citizens and green card holders are now facing tougher scrutiny during green card interviews. Both adjustment-of-status interviews within the United States and consular interviews for spouses living abroad are increasingly vetted for more in-depth questioning
4. Neighborhood Checks for LPRs seeking to Naturalize
In a Policy Memorandum in August, USCIS announced the return of personal investigations into green card holders applying for naturalization in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. The ‘Neighborhood Investigation’ will include testimonial letters from neighbors, employers, co-workers, and business associates.
This marks a big change, as the USCIS currently waives the requirements for neighborhood investigations and has mostly relied on biometric checks and criminal history checks conducted by the FBI to gather information on an applicant’s good moral character and suitability for naturalization.
5. Updated 2025 Civics Test for prospective Citizens
Starting 20th October 2025, Green Card Holders wishing to naturalize through the N-400 form are required to take the updated 2025 Civics Test.
The test is said to have become much harder, requiring extensive knowledge of American history, government and politics. The intention is to raise the bar for citizenship eligibility standards amidst a wave of decisions by the Trump Administration that impact immigrants. The test is of 20 Oral questions selected from a list of 128 Civic Questions. 12 correct answers are required to pass.
6. New Biometric Requirement
The USCIS confirmed new rule changes for all photos used for official immigration forms.
The photos must be less than 3 years old at the time of filing the form in question, and cannot be self-taken. It means the picture must be taken at official USCIS centres or other allowed official entities. For Green Card holders wishing to naturalize, each additional form they fill out, such as the N-400, will require a photograph that is compliant with the above rules.
7. New Form for Green Card Holders
US authorities have introduced new changes for green card holders, requiring them to use a new form, Form I-90, to replace their permanent resident cards starting May 29, 2025. This change requires those filing Form I-90 to meet new requirements specified by USCIS.
8. Remittance Tax
The controversial remittance tax was first proposed at a rate of 5%, then reduced to 3.5% by the US House of Representatives, and finally capped at 1% by the US Senate. The 1% remittance tax will apply to money transfers made by immigrants, including Indians in the US, after December 31, 2025.
The tax imposed will apply only to the remittance transfer for which the sender provides cash, a money order, a cashier’s check, or any other similar physical instrument to the remittance transfer provider. The 1% remittance tax will not apply to any remittance transfer for which the funds being transferred are withdrawn from an account held in a financial institution, including banks. The newly introduced remittance tax will also not apply to money transfers made using a debit card or a credit card that is issued in the United States.
9. New Rule on Medical Examination
A new USCIS rule related to the Report of Immigration Medical Examination will apply to all foreigners submitting ‘Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status’ while in the US. If a foreigner submitted Form I-693 with their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and then they withdrew their Form I-485 or USCIS denied it, then if they submit a future Form I-485, they must submit a newly completed Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon.
