The Trump administration announced a new federal policy requiring most green-card applicants to leave the United States and apply from their home countries [1].
This shift disrupts a long-standing legal pathway for foreign nationals residing in the U.S. who seek permanent residency. By requiring applicants to depart, the government creates significant legal and logistical hurdles for those attempting to transition from temporary visas to permanent status.
Under the new rules, applicants must submit their paperwork from abroad unless they can demonstrate that they provide an economic benefit or serve a national-interest purpose [1]. The administration said the change ensures that those granted permanent residence contribute economically or serve a specific national need [1].
For more than 50 years, foreign nationals with legal status have been able to apply for and complete the entire green-card process while remaining inside the United States [2]. This policy effectively ends that practice for the general population of visa holders.
Legal experts and advocates said that hundreds of thousands of visa holders could be forced to leave the U.S. to apply for a green card abroad [3]. This requirement may lead to family separations, or the loss of employment, for those unable to secure a national-interest exemption.
The policy applies to applicants currently inside the U.S. who are seeking to adjust their status to permanent residency [1]. The administration has not yet provided a detailed list of the specific criteria that define an economic benefit or a national-interest purpose.
“Most green-card applicants must leave the United States and apply from abroad”
This policy represents a fundamental shift in how the U.S. manages legal immigration by removing the 'adjustment of status' option for most residents. By forcing applicants to return to their home countries, the administration increases the risk that applicants will be unable to return to the U.S. due to processing delays or visa denials, effectively acting as a deterrent to legal permanent residency.
