U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is tightening the rules governing how immigrants already in the United States can obtain green cards, a change that could require more applicants to complete the process abroad through consular processing.Under a policy memorandum issued last week, the agency said it will generally reserve “in-country” green card approvals, known as adjustment of status, for “extraordinary circumstances.” The shift could significantly affect a process used by hundreds of thousands of applicants each year.Under current immigration law, adjustment of status allows eligible immigrants already living in the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent residency without returning to their home countries for visa processing at a U.S. Consulate.
In 2023, about 608,260 immigrants received green cards while already in the U.S., roughly 54% of the 1.17 million new lawful permanent residents that year. Another 564,660 completed the process abroad through consular processing.
Under the new policy, most applicants would instead be expected to pursue consular processing through the State Department abroad, unless officers determine they qualify for an exception.
USCIS said immigration officers will assess eligibility for in-country adjustment on a case-by-case basis, weighing whether an applicant meets the threshold for “extraordinary” relief.
