'Moral Turpitude': Can US Green Card Holders Be Deported More Easily Now? What It Means For Indians

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 20:58 IST

The Supreme Court ruled that immigration officials do not need to prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that a Green Card holder committed a crime to deny them re-entry.

The US Supreme Court has handed broader powers to the federal government to deny entry and deport green card holders accused of certain crimes, a move that could have major implications for lawful permanent residents, including thousands of Indians living in the United States.

In a 6-3 decision in the Blanche v. Lau case, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled that immigration officials do not need to prove by “clear and convincing evidence" that a Green Card holder committed a crime involving “moral turpitude" before treating them as an applicant seeking readmission to the country.

“The Immigration and Nationality Act does not impose that requirement," wrote Justice Clarence Thomas in the verdict. The move made it easier for border officials to initiate removal proceedings against Green Card holders returning from trips abroad under certain circumstances.

However, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, saying the court’s opinion undermines “the benefits and security that come with having a green card". She also expressed concern that the court has “handed the Government a massive blank check" to put lawful permanent residents in “immigration limbo."

What Was The Case About?

The Supreme Court’s ruling stems from the case of Muk Choi Lau, a Chinese citizen and US Green Card holder who was stopped at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2012 while returning from a trip to China. Lau reportedly faced charges of selling counterfeited goods in New Jersey and was not allowed to enter New York after his return from China.

However, he was later allowed to re-enter on certain conditions. He pleaded guilty to the counterfeiting charge and was ordered to be deported. Lau fought his removal, contending that he had been “improperly classified" by immigration officers in June 2012 and should have been admitted. The Supreme Court’s Tuesday ruling was a setback to his case.

What Is ‘Moral Turpitude’?

The Immigrant Legal Resource Centre says “moral turpitude" in the US immigration law refers to offences considered inherently dishonest, immoral, or harmful. While there is no single definition for such crimes, offences like fraud, theft, forgery, rape, domestic violence and the intent to cause bodily harm come under this category.

How The Ruling Affects Indians?

The ruling effectively cleared the way for immigration officials to deport lawful permanent residents more freely if criminal concerns are involved. This could have significant consequences for Indians, who are one of the largest groups of green card holders in the United States.

Many Indians have lived and worked in the country for years while waiting for US citizenship, often facing lengthy backlogs in the immigration system. This expanded authority means that even long-term residents accused of certain offences could be deported or denied re-entry after overseas travel.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 6.7 million people of Indian origin and Indian citizens were living in the US as of January 2026. That includes roughly 3.77 million people of Indian origin and 2.31 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int...Read More

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