New USCIS Policy Requires Foreigners to Apply for Green Cards from Home
Trump administration will force foreigners in the US to apply for a green card abroad

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The Trump administration has announced that foreigners in the U.S. must return to their home countries to apply for green cards, reversing decades of policy. This change raises concerns about family separations and visa processing delays, particularly for those from countries facing travel restrictions.
- 01Foreign nationals in the U.S. must leave to apply for green cards in their home countries, a significant policy shift by the Trump administration.
- 02The new rule affects various groups, including spouses of U.S. citizens, work visa holders, and refugees.
- 03Experts warn this could lead to indefinite family separations, especially if immigrant visas are not processed in their home countries.
- 04USCIS did not clarify whether applicants must remain abroad during the entire process or how this impacts ongoing applications.
- 05The announcement is part of broader measures by the Trump administration to limit legal immigration.
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In a surprising policy shift, the Trump administration announced that foreigners currently in the United States seeking green cards will now be required to leave the country and apply from their home nations. This change, revealed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), affects individuals with legal status, including those married to U.S. citizens, work and student visa holders, and refugees. For over fifty years, applicants could complete the green card process while residing in the U.S., making this announcement a significant departure from established practice. The policy raises concerns among immigration experts and advocacy groups, who fear it could lead to indefinite family separations, particularly when visa processing is stalled in applicants' home countries. The USCIS stated that exceptions would be made only in extraordinary circumstances, but did not elaborate on these conditions. Furthermore, the agency did not clarify whether individuals would need to stay in their home countries throughout the application process or how the new rule would affect those with pending applications. This move is part of the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to tighten immigration policies.
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This policy change could lead to significant disruptions for families and individuals seeking permanent residency in the U.S., especially those from countries with limited visa processing.
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