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New policy requires immigrants to apply for green cards outside US
The United States will now require most immigrants seeking permanent residency to leave the country and apply through a consulate or embassy abroad, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Friday. Exceptions will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances, the agency said.
Longstanding process altered
Until now, many visa holders-including students, temporary workers, and tourists-could apply for a green card while remaining in the U.S. through a process called adjustment of status. The new rule closes that pathway, requiring applicants to return to their home country for consular processing.
USCIS said the change aligns with the original intent of immigration law and will reduce the number of people who remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency. "The era of abusing our nation's immigration system is over," the Department of Homeland Security wrote on X.
Critics warn of family separations and legal risks
Immigration advocates argue the policy will force families to endure prolonged separations during an already lengthy application process. Some applicants may also face re-entry bans if they leave the U.S., making it difficult or impossible to return even if approved.
Michael Valverde, a former senior USCIS official under both Republican and Democratic administrations, told CBS News the move would "disrupt the plans of hundreds of thousands of families and employers annually." He called it an "unprecedented" restriction on lawful immigration.
Uncertainty for pending applications
A USCIS spokesperson told the BBC that applicants whose cases provide "economic benefit or are in the national interest" may still qualify for adjustment of status within the U.S. Others, however, could be required to apply from abroad, depending on individual circumstances.
More than one million immigrants are currently waiting for green card approvals, according to the Cato Institute. The process can take months to years, and overstaying a visa risks deportation and up to a 10-year re-entry ban.
Agency defends move as resource-efficient
USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said the policy would allow the agency to focus on "other critical cases," such as visas for crime victims and human trafficking survivors, as well as naturalization applications. He argued that consular processing abroad was the "fairer and more efficient" method, preventing visits to the U.S. from becoming a "first step" in the green card process.
"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."
Zach Kahler, USCIS spokesman
Broader immigration crackdown continues
The policy is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to restrict immigration. Earlier this year, the U.S. paused visa issuance for applicants from 75 countries, adding to existing bans affecting nearly 40 nations. USCIS said the latest change was consistent with "longstanding immigration law and court decisions," with officers instructed to evaluate cases individually.
