For millions of immigrants, a U.S. green card is supposed to mean security, permanence, and the promise of a stable life in America. But recent events show that even lawful permanent residency does not guarantee safety from immigration enforcement.
Walking the Dog — and Getting Detained
In June 2025, Reza Zavvar, a 52-year-old Maryland resident, was walking his dog in Gaithersburg when he was approached by ICE agents. Despite holding a valid green card and living in the U.S. for decades, Zavvar was detained and transferred to a Texas detention center. His only prior brush with the law? A minor misdemeanor from the 1990s, resolved years ago. His family was left shocked and scrambling for answers.
Students and Activists in the Crosshairs
The recent crackdown has also targeted student activists. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian green card holder and graduate student at Columbia University, was detained by ICE in 2025. His arrest came amid rising tensions on campuses over pro-Palestinian protests. Mohsen Mahdawi faced a similar fate — detained during what should have been a routine citizenship interview.
Other students like Rümeysa Öztürk, detained outside her Massachusetts home, show how political speech and peaceful protest can unexpectedly lead to ICE action — even against those with lawful status.
How Is This Happening?
In 2025, ICE has ramped up courthouse and USCIS arrests by rescinding previous policies that designated these locations as sensitive or off-limits. The expansion of “expedited removal” allows ICE to quickly detain and deport people with minimal judicial oversight.
Advocates point to political targeting too. Right-wing watchlists like Canary Mission have compiled names of pro-Palestinian student activists, some of whom later faced ICE detention.
Green Card Holders: Know Your Rights
While the law should protect legal residents, these stories prove that green card holders need to stay vigilant:
✅ Always carry your documents — but keep them secure.
✅ Memorize your attorney’s number — and tell your family too.
✅ Know your rights if ICE stops you — you have the right to remain silent and ask for an attorney.
✅ Don’t attend court or USCIS interviews alone — when possible, have a lawyer accompany you.
✅ Join community defense networks — local immigrant rights groups can provide rapid response help if you’re detained.
Being a legal permanent resident is not a guaranteed shield anymore. As stories like Reza Zavvar’s show, even decades-long residents with deep ties to their communities can face detention and deportation.
Staying informed, connected, and ready to assert your rights is critical. The more these stories are shared, the harder it is to ignore how vulnerable even the “most legal” immigrants can be — and how urgent real reform is.
If you or a loved one is facing ICE detention, reach out to a trusted immigration lawyer immediately.
