The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new rule on May 22, 2026, requiring most green-card applicants to apply from their home countries [1].
The policy change shifts the application process for permanent residency outside U.S. borders, potentially displacing a vast number of legal residents. This creates significant uncertainty for visa holders who have built lives and careers within the U.S. but now face the prospect of leaving while their cases are processed [2].
Under the new guidelines, the Trump administration will require people seeking green cards to leave the United States during the application process [1]. While the administration said the change is intended to tighten immigration enforcement, not all applicants are subject to the requirement [3]. A USCIS official said, "Immigrants who provide an 'economic benefit' are likely able to apply for a green card without returning to their home country" [3].
The scale of the impact is substantial. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of visa holders nationwide could be affected by the rule [2]. In New Jersey alone, approximately 50,000 residents could be forced out of the state to complete their applications [4].
This shift marks a departure from previous norms where many applicants could adjust their status while remaining in the U.S. The requirement to depart during processing may separate families, and interrupt employment for those who do not qualify for the economic benefit exemption [2].
Officials have not yet released a comprehensive list of the specific criteria used to determine what constitutes an "economic benefit" [3]. This ambiguity leaves many legal residents uncertain about whether they must prepare for departure or if they can remain in the country while awaiting a decision on their permanent residency [2].
“The Trump administration will now require people seeking green cards to leave the United States during the application process.”
This policy represents a significant tightening of the legal immigration pipeline. By removing the ability for most applicants to 'adjust status' domestically, the administration is increasing the risk that legal visa holders will be unable to return to the U.S. if their applications are delayed or denied. The 'economic benefit' exemption suggests a strategic preference for high-skill or high-wealth immigrants over other legal pathways.
