Consulate General warns Vietnamese about visas, green cards, and entry into the US

Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan, Consul General of Vietnam in San Francisco, on March 22 posted on his personal Facebook a warning to international students, workers, and people of Vietnamese origin living, working, and studying in the US or those who intend to apply for a visa to enter the US in the near future.

According to Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan, recently, the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco has recorded a number of unfortunate incidents involving international students, researchers, and people residing in the US (including those with green cards) who were denied entry, had their visas revoked, or were even deported, for seemingly small acts that violated immigration regulations, laws, or touched on sensitive issues of US national security.

A typical case is that of a French space researcher, working at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), who was denied entry at a US airport on March 9, 2025, while on his way to attend a scientific conference in Houston.

The reason was that his phone was randomly checked and security officers discovered in his personal messages that he had criticized the US government's scientific research policy. Although these were only private exchanges, the US authorities still considered this a sign of "hostility", which could be considered "support for extremist ideology", and proceeded to deport him.

A federal investigation was opened, and the charges were later dropped. However, the deportation occurred, disrupting the scientist's career and damaging his reputation.

In another case, a Lebanese kidney transplant specialist who was granted an H1B visa to teach at Brown University was deported at the Boston airport because she had previously worked with someone who was considered to have ties to a designated terrorist organization. Despite her clean work record, years of experience in the United States, and protection from the local medical community, she was denied entry and urgently deported.

From the above incidents, the Consulate General has issued 10 important notes that all Vietnamese individuals studying, working, or residing in the US need to pay special attention to in order to avoid problems with visas, green cards, or immigration:

1. Don't let your Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) expire: Renew it on time. Otherwise, your return to the US may be denied at the airport.

2. Even if your green card is still valid, you should not leave the US unless absolutely necessary: ​​Especially in a sensitive political context, any information in your profile, online behavior or phone calls can be checked and used as a reason to deny re-entry.

3. Absolutely avoid posting, sharing or writing content that is politically sensitive, racially or religiously discriminatory or that could be misunderstood as extremist.

4. Do not participate or express views (directly or indirectly) related to movements that are considered sensitive, extreme, or divisive to the community by the US government.

5. Do not post, comment or share such content on social media, including Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, Instagram or anonymous forums.

6. Do not engage in discussions of sensitive topics in closed groups, friend groups or student associations, as these may be subject to extraction or reporting.

7. Never overstay your visa: Even for one day. The consequences could be a ban on entry for 5 years or more.

8. Comply with local laws: From traffic laws, to rental laws, to visa regulations - any violations can be recorded and affect visa renewal or entry.

9. Do not delete data on your phone or computer before entering the country if it contains sensitive content: Deleting data right before the flight may be suspected of "hiding evidence", increasing the risk of investigation.

10. Avoid participating in protests, rallies, signing petitions... if you are not a US citizen. These actions may be considered exceeding the authority of a visa or green card holder.

Today, with the support of artificial intelligence and big data technology, US security agencies can scan personal information extremely quickly and accurately, including deleted data or messages in private groups. When an incident occurs, the process of explaining, hiring lawyers, and appealing can be lengthy, expensive, and seriously affect your future studies, work, and settlement.

The Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco sends a warning and appeal to students, workers, scientists, and parents with children studying in the US or anyone intending to enter the US in the near future: Be very careful, alert, and responsible in all words, actions, and personal activities.

In case you have taken maximum precautions but still encounter unexpected legal risks, your relatives should contact Vietnamese diplomatic missions in the US or relevant domestic agencies as soon as possible to receive advice and citizen protection.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tong-lanh-su-quan-canh-bao-nguoi-viet-ve-visa-the-xanh-nhap-canh-vao-my-196250322104602677.htm