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.