Trump Policy Requires Green Card Applicants to Return to Home Countries

Text The Trump administration has announced a new policy requiring immigrants seeking green cards to return to their home countries before applying, a move that could exacerbate existing backlogs and complicate the path to permanent residency for thousands of non-immigrant visa holders. Under the updated guidelines from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), individuals currently in the U.S. On temporary visas must leave the country and apply for green cards from their home nations. The rule, effective immediately, applies to applicants in categories such as employment-based visas, family-sponsored petitions, and diversity visas. The policy reversal marks a significant shift from prior practices, which allowed many applicants to adjust their status while residing in the U.S. Officials cited the need to “streamline processing and ensure compliance with immigration laws,” though critics argue the change prioritizes bureaucratic efficiency over the needs of immigrants. Text The requirement has sparked concern among advocacy