The Trump administration now requires most temporary visa holders seeking green cards to apply from their home countries via consular processing [1].
This shift ends the ability for many foreign nationals to adjust their immigration status while remaining inside the U.S. It represents a significant tightening of residency requirements that could force thousands of legal residents to leave the country during the application process.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the policy change to address enforcement concerns and the existing immigration backlog [2]. A USCIS spokesperson said, "We are returning to the pathway set out by Congress" [3].
Under the new rules, applicants will now need to complete consular processing in their home country [4]. This change could affect hundreds of thousands of immigrants already living in the U.S. [5]. While some reports suggest the rule applies to most foreign nationals seeking green cards [6], other guidance specifies it targets those holding temporary visas [1].
Legal experts warn that the mandate may have severe personal consequences for applicants. An immigration lawyer said, "This change could lead to more family separations as spouses or relatives wait for application decisions" [7].
The administration said the move is intended to align current practices with congressional intent [2]. By requiring applicants to exit the U.S. to finalize their permanent residency, the government aims to ensure stricter adherence to visa categories and processing protocols [4].
“"We are returning to the pathway set out by Congress."”
This policy shifts the burden of residency transition from internal administrative adjustment to external diplomatic processing. By removing the 'adjustment of status' option, the administration increases the risk that applicants may be denied reentry to the U.S. if their applications are delayed or rejected, effectively using the green card process as a mechanism for reducing the number of temporary visa holders remaining in the country.
