# Are There Any Legal Restrictions On Political Speech for Resident Aliens in the USA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 7, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526 "2017-01-07T14:45:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/21 "2017-01-08T02:56:21Z")
> [@Weisshund](#): > > My thoughts… > **“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”** > > Does not say only citizens residents etc, but ALL > So i would think it would be unconstitutional to deny anyone freedom of speech, citizen or visitor? That’s from the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. It has no official legal standing. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/22 "2017-01-08T17:22:38Z")
The U.S. does not deny citizenship to or deport individuals for expressing opinions on politics or other matters, a likely exception being exhortations to violence. “X politician is an ass” would be fine, “Kill X politician”, not so much. The OP’s Danish student could use one of those courses immigrants have to pass to gain citizenship. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/23 "2017-01-08T20:40:25Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The U.S. does not deny citizenship to or deport individuals for expressing opinions on politics or other matters, a likely exception being exhortations to violence. > > “X politician is an ass” would be fine, “Kill X= politician”, not so much. > > The OP’s Danish student could use one of those courses immigrants have to pass to gain citizenship. Maybe so, but SOMEBODY told her not to speak out on politics. Possibly her parents, perhaps someone else. I’m pretty sure she’s safe, but I don’t want to lie to her. She’s certainly not going to get punished for any opinion offered in my class, and I sure wouldn’t report her if there WERE any rules prohibiting her from speaking out. But I’d like to reassure her there’s no danger at all in speaking her mind. Would I be right to reassure her, or are there any immigration rules I’m unaware of? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/24 "2017-01-09T01:47:08Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Maybe so, but SOMEBODY told her not to speak out on politics. Possibly her parents, perhaps someone else. > > I’m pretty sure she’s safe, but I don’t want to lie to her. She’s certainly not going to get punished for any opinion offered in my class, and I sure wouldn’t report her if there WERE any rules prohibiting her from speaking out. But I’d like to reassure her there’s no danger at all in speaking her mind. > > Would I be right to reassure her, or are there any immigration rules I’m unaware of? You can tell her she has exactly the same free speech rights as any citizen. And you can tell her I said so. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/25 "2017-01-09T07:56:01Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > You can tell her she has exactly the same free speech rights \*\* as any citizen.\*\*. She’s not a citizen. She’s only allowed to stay in the US till the date when her visa expires. After which it must be renewed, and the renewal process involves faceless bureaucrats with the authority to ruin your life. She and her partents are wise to be careful. Suppose in a class discussion, she says something like “sometimes I feel empathy for the Arabs. After all, the US did invade Iraq unnecesarily, so I can understand why they hate us.” Other kids could slam her on Facebook for supporting terrorists. And when some faceless bureacrat decides not to renew her visa because she’s a terrorist, there is no easy appeal process. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/26 "2017-01-09T14:46:59Z")
I have no cite, but I have heard similar cautions from other green card holders. It may not be in American law, but I believe it is a widely held (some of the few people I know with green cards talked about it) opinion. I suspect it is just a “be careful” attitude, but it isn’t unique to one person. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/27 "2017-01-09T15:12:09Z")
You know, I think if I were in her position I’d have those fears too and I’d probably keep any opinions that might be considered radical to myself until my US citizenship was secure. Sure, there might be nothing to it, and from the above responses it seems there isn’t, but I’d be figuring that it never hurts to be careful, especially if it’s only for a limited period. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/28 "2017-01-09T15:16:05Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > So her parents probably had “The Talk” with her: warning her to stay _completely_ off the radar from the police. They probably exaggerated the dangers, and told her–not just no underage drinking, no smoking pot,etc., but also no traffic stops, and no suspicious behavior of any sort. ) For what? Being TOO white? She’s from Denmark. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/29 "2017-01-09T15:30:28Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > She’s not a citizen. > She’s only allowed to stay in the US till the date when her visa expires. Permanent residency (green card) doesn’t expire. That’s why it’s permanent. It’s true that it can be revoked upon conviction of certain crimes (including immigration fraud) but there’s no renewal process involved generally. This all assumes that the student is in fact a permanent resident and not some other status. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/30 "2017-01-09T15:43:57Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Permanent residency (green card) doesn’t expire. That’s why it’s permanent. It’s true that it can be revoked upon conviction of certain crimes (including immigration fraud) but there’s no renewal process involved generally. To clarify: you do have to renew the _actual green card itself_ when it expires, just like any photo ID, but that doesn’t affect your actual immigration status. You’re a permanent resident until you do something to get kicked out. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/31 "2017-01-09T16:01:03Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > For what? Being TOO white? She’s from Denmark. Denmark?!? Hotbed of socialism?!? Who let her in to corrupt the youth?!? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/32 "2017-01-29T19:51:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > IANAL either, but I would lay odds it isn’t true. She has to [abide by the law](http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/keeping-green-card-29707.html), but there is no law against foreigners talking politics. > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > If there were speech restrictions for people with green cards, we would be hearing about it all the time through the news and social media. It would be a giant free speech issue. > > But we don’t, so there aren’t. I agree with John that there’s more to this story. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > The U.S. does not deny citizenship to or deport individuals for expressing opinions on politics or other matters, a likely exception being exhortations to violence. > > “X politician is an ass” would be fine, “Kill X politician”, not so much. > > The OP’s Danish student could use one of those courses immigrants have to pass to gain citizenship. > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > You can tell her she has exactly the same free speech rights as any citizen. And you can tell her I said so. So, in light of this weekend’s events, is everybody still convinced that the Danish student’s parents are silly to be worried about what she might say in class? That they shouldn’t worry that saying the wrong thing might get their green card cancelled by a stroke of a pen held in tiny little hands? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/33 "2017-01-29T19:58:48Z")
The wife, who is a green-card holder, hates Trump just as much as I do, but I always caution her not to be too outspoken until she becomes a citizen. Better safe than sorry. It helps that Hawaii is a solidly blue state, and almost everyone here hates Trump too. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/34 "2017-01-29T20:16:08Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > So, in light of this weekend’s events, is everybody still convinced that the Danish student’s parents are silly to be worried about what she might say in class? > > That they shouldn’t worry that saying the wrong thing might get their green card cancelled by a stroke of a pen held in tiny little hands? Please. What exactly in this weekend’s events has to do with what green card holders say in the U.S.? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/35 "2017-01-29T20:19:22Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Please. What exactly in this weekend’s events has to do with what green card holders say in the U.S.? It would not surprise me at all if Trump decided to try to deport any outspoken green-card holders, or at least the ones speaking out against him. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526/36 "2017-01-29T20:21:23Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > So, in light of this weekend’s events, is everybody still convinced that the Danish student’s parents are silly to be worried about what she might say in class? > > That they shouldn’t worry that saying the wrong thing might get their green card cancelled by a stroke of a pen held in tiny little hands? **Moderator Note** **Northern Piper** , you should know very well that political jabs are not permitted in General Questions. Colibri General Questions Moderator Since the factual aspects of this have been answered, and it continues to be the target of political sniping, I’m going to close this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-legal-restrictions-on-political-speech-for-resident-aliens-in-the-usa/776526.md?page=1)