Trump administration forces green card applicants to process abroad

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a new immigration rule that will require most applicants for lawful permanent residence to leave the United States and complete their cases at U.S. consulates abroad, ending the adjustment‑of‑status process that allowed them to remain while their petitions were reviewed. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the system “is designed for them to leave when their visit is over,” and former USCIS official Doug Rand called the change “exclusion.” The policy applies to temporary‑visa holders such as students, tourists, and workers, and will affect family‑based and employment‑based green‑card categories. Critics warn it will separate spouses and children, create financial hardship, and likely trigger extensive court battles, while the administration argues it will make the system fairer and protect American jobs.

The change follows a broader tightening of legal immigration, including travel bans and suspensions of diversity visas, and was announced after internal polling showed poor public reaction to the administration’s illegal‑immigration crackdowns.