The U.S. government is implementing stricter controls and new requirements for individuals seeking permanent residency, commonly known as Green Cards [1].
These measures target the adjustment of status process to prevent individuals who entered the country on temporary visas from obtaining residency without meeting rigorous new standards. This shift represents a broader effort by the Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to reinforce applicant verification.
Changes to the process were first announced in January 2025, shortly after Donald Trump took office [2]. While some updates to the I-485 form were announced in 2025 [2], other requirements and controls are scheduled to take full effect in 2026 [1].
Immigration attorney Vanessa Márquez said authorities will apply stricter controls to status adjustment processes, particularly for those who entered with non-immigrant visas and later seek residency.
Processing times for these applications remain highly volatile. Depending on the applicant's country of origin and the specific visa category, wait times currently range from less than one year to several decades [3].
USCIS has intensified the review of specific adjustment of status applications to ensure compliance with the new federal mandates. The administration said the goal is to ensure that the transition from a temporary stay to permanent residency is strictly monitored, a move intended to curb the use of non-immigrant visas as a primary gateway to permanent status.
“Authorities will apply stricter controls in the status adjustment processes.”
The tightening of Green Card requirements signals a shift toward a more restrictive immigration posture that prioritizes strict adherence to the original intent of non-immigrant visas. By increasing scrutiny on the adjustment of status, the U.S. government is making it more difficult for legal temporary residents to transition to permanent status, likely increasing the legal burden of proof for applicants and potentially extending processing timelines for those in high-scrutiny categories.
