US USCIS mandates green‑card applicants leave the country for consular processing

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum reaffirming that non‑immigrants who wish to obtain a permanent‑resident Green Card must apply through consular processing abroad, except in extraordinary circumstances. The memo directs officers to evaluate each case individually but returns to the original statutory intent that adjustment of status be completed outside the United States.

The change overturns a long‑standing practice that allowed applicants to adjust status while physically present in the U.S. In fiscal year 2023, 54 % of the 1.17 million new lawful permanent residents obtained their Green Cards from within the country. USCIS argues the revision will close perceived loopholes, reduce the need to locate and remove individuals who remain illegally after a denial, and free agency resources for other priorities.