US mandates green‑card applicants to file from abroad under new Trump rule

The Trump administration has issued a policy requiring most foreign nationals seeking a U.S. green card to submit their applications at American consulates in their home countries, rather than from within the United States. The change, announced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on 22 May, applies chiefly to holders of temporary visas – students, seasonal workers and tourists – and includes only narrow exceptions.

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said, “A foreign citizen temporarily in the United States who wishes to obtain a green card must now apply from their country of origin.” Officials argue the rule will curb illegal stays after denial and free agency resources for higher‑priority cases. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, label the measure “absurd and cruel,” warning that thousands of legal immigrants, such as spouses of U.S. citizens, could be forced to leave their jobs and homes to complete the process abroad.

The policy shifts processing of most green‑card petitions to the Department of State’s overseas consular offices, aiming to ensure temporary visitors depart after their visas expire rather than use short stays as a pathway to permanent residence.