The Trump administration announced a major policy change requiring most foreigners seeking green cards to leave the U.S. and apply from their home countries, sparking widespread confusion and concern among immigrants, lawyers, and aid groups.
The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in immigration policy, mandating that most nonimmigrants in the U.S. seeking a green card must now leave the country and apply from their home country. This change, described by the agency as a return to the 'original intent of the law' and closing a 'loophole,' has generated considerable confusion and alarm among aid organizations, immigration lawyers, and affected individuals. Officials stated that the system is designed for temporary visitors to leave when their visit concludes, not to initiate the green card process while in the U.S. This is the latest in a series of measures by the administration aimed at making legal immigration more challenging. Doug Rand, a former USCIS advisor, noted that approximately 600,000 people already in the U.S. apply for green cards annually, suggesting the policy aims to reduce permanent residency. USCIS did not immediately clarify when the change would take effect, whether applicants must remain abroad for the entire process, or if it impacts ongoing applications. An emailed statement indicated that those providing an 'economic benefit' or 'national interest' might be exempt. Experts warn that forcing individuals from countries with travel bans or visa processing pauses to return home could result in indefinite family separations, creating a 'Catch-22.' Immigration lawyers and aid groups dispute the 'loophole' claim, asserting that adjusting status in the U.S. has been a longstanding practice for many, including those married to U.S. citizens, humanitarian protection recipients, and holders of work, student, and religious visas. Concerns are also high regarding the safety of returning to certain countries (like Afghanistan, where the U.S. embassy is closed) and potential visa appointment wait times abroad, which can exceed a year. Attorneys are actively trying to decipher the broad implications of the policy, while immigrant support organizations report clients' deep anxieties about its impact.
