Trump Administration Mandates Green Card Applicants to Apply from Home Countries

The Trump administration has introduced a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, mandating that individuals seeking green cards must apply from their home countries. This rule, announced on Friday, stipulates that applications will only be considered from outside the United States, except under extraordinary circumstances.

A green card, or Permanent Resident Card, is essential for those wishing to reside and work permanently in the U.S. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlined that this policy change is aimed at streamlining the immigration system, ensuring it operates as the law intended and minimizing the exploitation of current loopholes. The agency pointed out that requiring applicants to apply from their home countries decreases the instances of individuals remaining in the U.S. illegally after their residency applications are denied.

According to reports from The New York Times, approximately 1.4 million green cards were issued in 2024, as per data from the Department of Homeland Security. Notably, over 820,000 of these approvals were for applicants already residing in the U.S., who obtained their green cards via a process known as ‘adjustment of status.’ This method allows non-immigrant visa holders to transition to permanent residency.

Historically, the adjustment of status process has benefited more than 500,000 individuals annually over the past two decades, though this figure saw a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The recent changes may significantly impact the strategies employed by many aspiring immigrants, particularly those from India, who have traditionally used this pathway to secure permanent residency.

The implications of this new rule could ripple through the Indian community, as many individuals and families have relied on the adjustment of status route to integrate into American society. As the U.S. tightens its immigration policies, this could lead to shifts in migration patterns and affect the aspirations of those eyeing a future in America.

Source: scroll.in