The Donald Trump administration is tightening immigration rules again by requiring many foreign nationals seeking green cards to leave the U.S. and complete the application process from their home countries.
USCIS Changes Green Card Adjustment Process
On Friday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the change in a policy memo directing officers to review requests for exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Under the new guidance, temporary visa holders seeking lawful permanent residency will generally have to return to their countries of origin and apply through U.S. embassies or consulates overseen by the State Department instead of adjusting their status while remaining in the U.S.
"From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances," USCIS Spokesman Zach Kahler said in a statement.
