US rescinds rule forcing green‑card applicants to apply from abroad

The United States government withdrew a policy announced on May 22 that would have required most applicants for permanent residence (“green cards”) to submit their petitions while outside the country. The Department of Homeland Security said the rule will not be applied to all candidates and will be used only “on a case‑by‑case basis,” describing it as a reminder for staff to use discretion. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that, except for extraordinary circumstances, foreign nationals who are temporarily in the United States must now return to their home country to file the application.

Immigrant‑rights groups and legal firms expressed concern that the measure could force thousands of lawful immigrants, including spouses of U.S. citizens, to leave their homes and jobs for weeks or months. The United States issues more than one million green cards each year, and more than half of the applicants are already present in the country.

The reversal follows a wave of protests after the original announcement, and officials indicated that the policy will be applied sparingly.