Trump administration to force foreigners to apply for a green card abroad : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- The Trump administration announced that foreigners in the U.S. seeking a green card must now leave the country and apply from their home country, a significant shift from a policy in place for over 50 years allowing in-country applications.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that only in "extraordinary circumstances" would applicants be allowed to adjust status without leaving, aiming to prevent temporary visa holders from using their stay as a step toward permanent residency.
- The policy change is part of broader efforts by the administration to reduce legal immigration, with experts noting that about 600,000 people apply for green cards from within the U.S. annually.
- Immigration lawyers and aid groups criticized the move, highlighting practical issues such as closed embassies, long visa appointment wait times, and the risk of indefinite family separations due to travel bans and paused visa processing in some countries.
- The timing and full scope of the policy’s implementation remain unclear, causing confusion and concern among immigrants and legal advocates about its impact on current and future green card applicants.