The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in immigration policy, mandating that individuals applying for green cards must exit the United States while their applications are processed. This new rule, revealed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), could profoundly impact hundreds of thousands seeking to reside and work legally in the country.
As of Friday, USCIS stated that green card applicants will need to return to their home countries to submit their applications for permanent residency. Exceptions may be made under “extraordinary circumstances,” according to USCIS spokesperson Zak Kaler.
Kaler’s statement emphasized, “When foreigners apply from their home countries, it reduces the need to search for and deport those who choose to remain in the shadows and stay in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.”
The application process for a green card is already known for its complexity, often taking months to years to complete. The new requirement may force many immigrants to leave their jobs, families, and communities during the waiting period.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that approximately 1.4 million individuals obtained permanent residency in the 2024 fiscal year. However, this new regulation is expected to face legal challenges.
While the Trump administration has prioritized combating illegal immigration, this latest policy exemplifies efforts to restrict even legal immigration avenues. The administration has previously worked to significantly reduce asylum applications, revoked temporary protected status for citizens from several countries, and limited the issuance of work and student visas.
In response to a tragic incident last year in Washington, where two National Guard soldiers were shot, the administration announced a review of all permanent residency permits granted to citizens from 19 countries deemed concerning. Notably, the suspect in that incident, an Afghan citizen, had applied for asylum in 2021—a process distinct from obtaining permanent residency—and received approval in 2025.
In April of the previous year, Trump remarked on the need for “bold justice” to enforce strict immigration policies. His administration also moved to eliminate temporary legal status for 530,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, potentially exposing many to deportation.
Reports from The Washington Post have suggested that the Trump administration was formulating a plan for mass deportations, with discussions mentioning figures as high as one million individuals per year.
The Trump administration's new green card policy requires applicants to leave the U.S. during processing, affecting many seeking permanent residency. The move aims to combat illegal immigration but may face legal challenges.
Source: CNN