Trump administration upends green card process, potentially compelling hundreds of thousands to leave US to apply
Key Points:
- The Trump administration has introduced a new rule requiring green card applicants to leave the US and apply for permanent visas from their home countries, potentially disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands seeking legal residency.
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services cited the rule as a measure to reduce illegal overstays, with exemptions allowed only for "extraordinary circumstances."
- The policy has sparked significant criticism from lawmakers, immigration advocates, and experts, who argue it will separate families, harm the economy, and drive talent away from the US.
- This rule is part of a broader Trump administration effort to restrict both illegal and legal immigration, including limits on asylum claims, refugee admissions, and various visa programs.
- Legal challenges to the new rule are expected, as critics highlight its potential to undermine America's competitiveness and innovation by deterring skilled immigrants.