US New Rule Requires Green Card Applicants to Leave Country, Sparks Criticism

The Trump administration announced a new policy Friday requiring temporary visa holders who wish to apply for permanent residency (Green Card) to return to their home countries and submit applications at U.S. consulates, rather than adjusting their status from within the United States.

According to NBC News, a spokesperson for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said the measure aims to ensure that temporary visitors depart promptly after their stay, prevent unlawful overstay, and reduce the agency’s workload to focus on other priorities.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations and former officials. World Relief called the policy “harsh and disruptive to family reunification,” while a former immigration official warned that it could disproportionately target immigrants and hinder their ability to return legally. 

Currently, roughly half a million applicants annually adjust their status from inside the U.S., and critics argue the new rule risks permanently barring many from pursuing permanent residency.

The policy underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration enforcement, balancing border security and regulatory priorities with concerns about fairness, family unity, and access to legal pathways for immigrants.