The U.S. government announced a new rule Friday requiring most green-card applicants to submit their permanent-residency applications from outside the United States [1].
This policy shift alters the legal immigration landscape by removing the ability for many seekers to adjust their status while remaining on U.S. soil. By requiring processing to occur in home countries, the administration creates a higher barrier to entry for those seeking permanent residency.
The rule was announced on May 22, 2026, by the Trump administration, the Department of State, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) [1], [2]. Under the new guidelines, green cards will be issued in the applicants' home countries rather than within the U.S. [1], [3].
Government officials said the change is intended to curb legal immigration. The move is part of a broader immigration-restriction agenda designed to make the green-card process more difficult [3], [4].
While some reports suggest it remains unclear exactly who will be affected, other estimates indicate the rule could impact hundreds of thousands of green-card seekers [1], [2]. The policy applies to most applicants currently residing in the United States who are seeking a transition to permanent residency [3], [4].
Applicants will now be required to depart the U.S. to complete their processing. This shift moves the administrative burden from domestic offices to consulates and embassies worldwide, a change that may lead to significant delays in processing times.
“The rule could affect hundreds of thousands of green-card seekers.”
This policy represents a fundamental shift from 'adjustment of status' to 'consular processing' for a vast majority of legal immigrants. By forcing applicants to leave the U.S., the administration introduces significant personal and financial risks for seekers, as a denial of the application abroad would leave them without a legal pathway to return to the United States.
