Washington: The Trump administration has announced a major change to the US immigration system, requiring most immigrants seeking permanent residency to leave the country and complete their green card applications through US embassies or consulates abroad.
The new policy, unveiled by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, effectively ends a long-used pathway that allowed eligible visa holders already inside the United States to apply for a green card through adjustment of status without departing the country.
Under the revised rules, individuals on temporary visas, including students, tourists, and temporary workers, will generally be required to return to their home countries and apply for visas through consular processing, except in extraordinary circumstances.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration enforcement and reduce visa overstays. According to USCIS, processing applications abroad would make the immigration system fairer and more efficient by reducing the number of people who remain in the US illegally after residency applications are denied.
USCIS is applying long-standing law and prior court decisions to require certain aliens with temporary visas who decide they want to permanently reside in the U.S. to return to their home countries to apply for permanent visas through the @StateDept.
We’re returning to the… pic.twitter.com/E2AFZkds5m
— USCIS (@USCIS) May 22, 2026
Administration says system was being abused
Officials from the US Department of Homeland Security defended the decision, saying the previous system encouraged misuse of temporary visas. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the policy restores the original intent of immigration law.
Kahler remarked that, “From now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a green card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.” The administration argues that shifting applications abroad will allow USCIS to focus on other immigration priorities, including naturalisation cases, visas for trafficking victims, and humanitarian protections.
Uncertainty for families and employers
Immigration advocates and former officials warn the policy could significantly disrupt families, employers, and legal immigrants already waiting in the system. Critics say the previous adjustment-of-status process helped families remain together during the often lengthy green card process, which can take months or even years.
There are currently more than one million legal immigrants waiting for approval of adjustment-of-status green card applications, according to the Cato Institute. Michael Valverde, a former senior USCIS official who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, described the move as largely unprecedented.
Pending applications remain unclear
USCIS has not clarified whether pending green card applications filed inside the US will be affected. Legal experts also warn that some immigrants who leave the US to attend visa interviews abroad could face difficulties returning, particularly if prior visa overstays or immigration violations trigger re-entry bans.
Under US law, overstaying a visa can lead to deportation, future visa ineligibility, and bans on re-entering the country for up to 10 years.
Broader immigration crackdown
The latest policy comes with a wider immigration crackdown under the Trump administration. The administration has already imposed travel bans or restrictions affecting citizens from nearly 40 countries and has also paused immigrant visa issuances for applicants from dozens of nations earlier this year.
Observers say the new green card rules could further reduce legal immigration pathways while increasing pressure on consular offices overseas.
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