On Friday, the United States government introduced a revised immigration policy that significantly alters the process for temporary visa holders seeking permanent residency. Under the new guidelines from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applicants for Green Cards will generally be required to return to their home countries to complete the application process, unless they qualify for extraordinary circumstances. This policy emphasizes that adjustment of status will now be treated as an extraordinary form of relief, approved only in limited situations. USCIS reiterated that foreign nationals holding non-immigrant visas, such as students and temporary workers, are expected to pursue immigrant visa processing through US consular offices abroad. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler explained that this move aims to restore the original intent of immigration laws, ensuring that temporary visa holders leave the US once their authorized stay expires. By requiring applicants to apply from their home countries, the policy is designed to reduce the administrative burden on USCIS and redirect resources toward other immigration priorities, such as humanitarian protections and citizenship applications.