New US Green Card Policy Requires Applicants to Return Home
US amends rule for Green Card seekers, asks them to apply from home country

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The US government has implemented a new policy requiring foreign nationals on temporary visas to apply for Green Cards from their home countries, except in extraordinary circumstances. This change aims to restore the original intent of immigration law and reduce administrative burdens on the USCIS.
- 01Foreign nationals seeking a Green Card must apply from their home country, as per the new USCIS policy memo.
- 02Adjustment of status within the US will now be considered an 'extraordinary form of relief' granted only in limited cases.
- 03The policy aims to reduce the number of individuals remaining in the US illegally after being denied residency.
- 04USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler emphasized that the change aligns with long-standing immigration law.
- 05The updated process will allow USCIS to focus on other immigration priorities, like humanitarian cases and naturalization applications.
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On May 22, 2023, the US government announced a significant policy change affecting foreign nationals on temporary visas who wish to obtain permanent residency. Under the new guidelines from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), individuals seeking a Green Card must now return to their home country to apply, except in 'extraordinary circumstances.' This policy aims to reinforce the original intent of immigration law, which mandates that non-immigrant visa holders, including students, tourists, and temporary workers, undergo consular processing abroad through the US Department of State. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler stated that this shift would help reduce the number of individuals who remain in the US illegally after being denied residency and would alleviate administrative burdens on the agency. By directing most applications to consular offices abroad, USCIS can concentrate on other priorities, such as humanitarian cases and naturalization applications. This policy change reflects a broader effort to ensure compliance with immigration laws and streamline the immigration process.
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This policy change will primarily affect foreign nationals currently in the US on temporary visas, requiring them to navigate the immigration process from their home countries.
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More about US Citizenship and Immigration Services

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