New US Deportation Drive Expands Focus to Green Card Holders

The United States is facing growing pressure overseas and at home as tensions in the Middle East coincide with an expansion of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

In testimony before senators, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of United States Central Command, defended the military’s operations against Iran and said forces had almost entirely avoided civilian casualties. Human rights groups and several lawmakers disputed the claim, citing independent investigations that documented damage to schools and hospitals. 

The disagreement has increased scrutiny of official military accounts and the evidence collected by outside organisations during the conflict with Tehran. Diplomatic efforts have also become more difficult. President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to support the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies that Iran closed after recent US military action.

Both governments stated publicly that the waterway should remain open, but Beijing did not offer specific commitments. Analysts say China could use its influence with Iran to seek concessions from Washington, including on issues linked to Taiwan. The situation has strengthened Beijing’s position while the conflict continues to disrupt oil markets and increase tensions across Asia.In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has begun a broad review of the legal status of thousands of green card holders. Internal figures show that nearly 2,900 cases have already been examined, with at least 50 people identified for possible deportation. 

Officials said the programme is intended to uncover fraud and security concerns, while critics argue that it places pressure on lawful residents and stretches government resources. The establishment of a new Tactical Operations Division within US Citizenship and Immigration Services reflects a wider shift in enforcement policy. 

The administration is expanding its focus beyond undocumented migrants to include permanent residents. More than 11 million immigration applications remain backlogged, raising concerns about the agency’s ability to manage its existing responsibilities.

The uncertainty has extended to senior leadership. Michael Banks, chief of the United States Border Patrol, resigned on Thursday in the latest senior departure from the Department of Homeland Security. His resignation follows several leadership changes, including the dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the planned departure of the acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Banks, who previously served as Texas’s border czar, described his decision as personal.