The US Customs and Immigration department has arrested a Pakistani national who applied for a Green Card to avail the immigration benefits in the country, but was found to have been barred from the same some 27 years ago. The USCIS took to X and shared the update, stating that the person was “ordered removed” in 1998.

However, he tried to play smart and 27 years later in 2025, he again applied for a Green Card under a new identity. But the security checks and details obtained after taking his fingerprint led to his arrest. 

“Fingerprints don’t lie. An alien from Pakistan was ordered removed in 1998. 27 years later he applied for a Green Card under a new identity,” the department said.

“Our security checks uncovered the truth. He was arrested by @ICEgov at our New Orleans office,” the post read.

“Applying for immigration benefits? We requite biometrics,” the post with a card read. “They confirm your identity and help us stop immigration fraud,” it added.

US’ ICE department continues track and trace

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been tracking those who are residing in the country illegally. The operation got a big push when Donald Trump took charge of the President’s office, and vowed to remove illegal immigrants from the country. 

He began sending these immigrants, including Indians, to their respective countries on military planes. The immigrants were handcuffed, and not allowed to even drink onboard the plane. The action drew flack from other countries who called the behaviour inhumane. 

However, Trump was unmoved by the remarks and stood by his vow of sending illegal immigrants back home as soon as possible. He also sent marines and ICE commandos to California to contain anti-immigration protests, leading to mass unrest in the region.

ICE’s July memo hints at troubling news for immigrants

In July, the ICE issued a memo stating that the US Supreme Court has also allowed the agency to immediately begin using a new deportation method. Under this, people can now be sent to “alternative” countries, and not just their country of origin. 

If the country receiving the immigrant has not promised to protect them from harm or torture, ICE will usually give the person 24 hours’ notice before deportation. 

But in urgent situations, that notice can be shortened to just six hours. If the country has officially said the person will be safe, and the US government believes that promise, then deportation can happen without any notice at all.