USCIS to Require Immigrants Process Green Cards Abroad, Closing Adjustment‑of‑Status Loophole

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new guidance that reinterprets Section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, directing immigration officers to treat the shift from temporary nonimmigrant status to permanent residency as a process that should generally be completed outside the United States. Under the policy, individuals seeking lawful permanent residence must return to their home country, undergo screening, and obtain an immigrant visa through the State Department before re‑entering as permanent residents, except in "extraordinary circumstances" where domestic processing may be allowed.

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow said the change restores the "original intent of the law" and emphasizes security and eligibility. The guidance arrives amid a reported asylum backlog of 1.5 million cases, and it will require case‑by‑case vetting by USCIS officers for any exceptions.