Foreigners in U.S. must apply for green cards abroad, new Trump administration rule says
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration announced that foreigners in the U.S. seeking green cards must now leave and apply from their home countries, reversing a policy that allowed in-country applications for over 50 years.
- This change affects various groups including spouses of U.S. citizens, work and student visa holders, refugees, and asylum seekers, complicating the path to permanent residency.
- The policy shift adds to previous restrictions on immigration and travel bans from multiple countries, raising concerns about indefinite family separations and legal limbo.
- USCIS stated exceptions could be made in "extraordinary circumstances," but did not clarify details or whether ongoing applications are impacted.
- Advocacy groups warn the new requirement could trap applicants in a "Catch-22" if their home countries are not processing immigrant visas, effectively barring their return to the U.S.