The Trump administration announced Friday that immigrants living in the United States on temporary visas will now be required to return to their home countries to apply for green cards, marking a major shift in long-standing immigration procedures.
Under the new policy, individuals in the U.S. on non-immigrant visas, including students, temporary workers, and tourists, will generally no longer be allowed to adjust their immigration status from within the country unless they qualify under what officials described as “extraordinary circumstances.”
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According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler, the administration believes the change will reduce the number of people who remain in the country illegally after being denied permanent residency.
“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,” Kahler said in a statement.
He added that temporary visa holders are expected to remain in the United States only for a limited time and for a specific purpose.
“Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process,” Kahler stated.
Administration officials argued that shifting more applications to U.S. consulates abroad would allow USCIS to focus its resources on other immigration priorities, including naturalization cases and visas for victims of violent crimes and human trafficking.
Kahler described the move as an effort to make the immigration system “fairer and more efficient.”
However, critics say the policy could significantly disrupt the lives of immigrants and their families.
Former USCIS official Doug Rand noted that roughly one million people apply for green cards each year, with nearly half traditionally adjusting their status while already living legally in the United States.
“The purpose of this policy is exclusion,” Rand said, arguing that some applicants may be unable to return to the United States once they leave due to existing travel restrictions and visa limitations.
The policy has also drawn criticism from faith-based and immigrant advocacy organizations.
World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization, described the measure as “cruel” and “anti-family,” warning that it could separate spouses, children, and parents for extended periods.
Myal Greene said the policy would create immediate hardships for many immigrant families who are already legally present in the country.
“This policy will force apart husbands from wives and children from their parents,” Greene said. “There is simply no compelling reason for this cruel, anti-family policy change.”
The move represents the latest immigration restriction introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has continued to tighten both illegal and legal immigration pathways.
