Policy Change on Green Card Applications
On Friday, the Trump administration revealed a new policy that will require individuals on temporary visas to return to their home countries to apply for green cards.
This change specifically targets foreign nationals in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas, which are typically limited for purposes like studying, working temporarily, or tourism.
According to the updated guidelines, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now consider domestic “adjustment of status” applications as a unique form of relief, rather than a common procedure.
“Moving forward, those who are in the U.S. temporarily and wish to pursue a green card must return to their home country for the application process, with some exceptions,” explained USCIS Spokesman Zack Kahler. “This approach aims to minimize the number of individuals who might try to remain in the U.S. illegally after a residency denial.” Kahler added that visits shouldn’t serve as stepping stones to obtaining a green card.
Historically, about 1 million green card applications are submitted each year, with roughly half coming from individuals already residing in the country, according to Doug Rand, a former immigration official.
Critics have swiftly condemned this directive, claiming it could seriously impact American businesses and families.
“This policy seems fundamentally exclusionary. After all, President Trump has already restricted entry from over 100 countries, and requiring people to go abroad for processing is not the right direction,” Rand noted.
This directive reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to limit avenues for legal immigration. However, Kahler insisted that this change aims to create a “more efficient and fair immigration system.”
“By adhering to the law, the State Department will be able to manage most cases at U.S. consulates outside the country, allowing USCIS resources to concentrate on processing other essential cases, including visas and applications for individuals affected by violent crimes and human trafficking,” Kahler stated.
