I'm an Immigration Lawyer. Here's My Advice for Tech Workers on Visas.

Key Points:

• The new immigration policy memo restricts approval of I-485 green card applications to "extraordinary circumstances," causing widespread fear and confusion among applicants and immigration lawyers.
• The I-485 form allows individuals to adjust their status to permanent residence from inside the U.S., but the memo signals a return to requiring applicants to file from outside the country, impacting almost all immigration categories.
• USCIS may favor applicants who demonstrate economic benefits to the U.S., but clear policy guidance is lacking, prompting lawyers to advise clients to urgently gather documentation proving their economic contributions.
• The policy could cause significant delays and family separations due to increased consulate burdens, and businesses investing in foreign workers may suffer as employees wait outside the U.S. for green card processing.
• Laid-off tech workers face heightened risks, as the administration may view applications for interim visas during grace periods as failure to maintain lawful status, complicating their ability to stay and work in the U.S.