Trump Administration Restores Rule Requiring Most Green Card Applicants to Leave U.S.

The Trump administration announced Friday that most foreign nationals already in the United States who seek lawful permanent residency must leave the country and apply from their home nations. The policy reverses a practice that had been in place for more than fifty years.

Services stated that nonimmigrants come to the U.S. for a short time and a specific purpose. The agency said their visit should not serve as the first step toward a green card. The new rule applies except in “extraordinary circumstances,” which USCIS officers will determine on a case-by-case basis. The agency did not specify when the change takes effect or how it will affect pending applications.

“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. A former senior advisor at USCIS during the prior administration said the explicit goal is to reduce the number of people who obtain permanent residency. In an emailed statement to the Associated Press, the agency said individuals who provide an “economic benefit” or serve the “national interest” could likely remain in the U.S. during processing. The administration has not clarified whether applicants must stay abroad for the entire process or whether the change applies to people whose applications are already underway.”