Media reports from Associated Press, Reuters, and others indicate that the U.S. government announced on May 22 that foreign nationals seeking a green card (permanent residence) must now leave the country and submit their applications from their home countries. The report notes that the U.S. green card application process has remained unchanged for over 60 years, making this the latest major move in the Trump administration’s immigration policy.

The policy memorandum issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on May 22 represents one of the most disruptive adjustments to the U.S. immigration system in decades. It directly ends a 60-year-old practice known as "adjustment of status within the U.S.", fundamentally reversing the underlying logic of green card applications.

For decades, foreign nationals holding valid non-immigrant visas—such as F-1 student visas or H-1B work visas—could apply for a green card directly within the United States if they met eligibility requirements. During this period, they could legally work and live in the U.S., with the process relatively stable and manageable.

Under the new rule, this default practice is completely overturned: the vast majority of temporary visa holders must now leave the country and apply for a green card through consular processing in their home nations. This means that “applying for a green card while remaining in the U.S.” is no longer a legal right but has been redefined as an administrative favor or special relief requiring case-by-case approval. Only a very small number of exceptional individuals who bring significant economic benefits or serve national interests may qualify for exemptions allowing them to stay in the U.S. to apply.

For the approximately 600,000 applicants each year who previously planned to pursue the in-country route, this new policy brings substantial uncertainty and practical difficulties.

Extended Processing Times and Soaring Costs

After switching to consular processing abroad, the overall application timeline is expected to extend by several months—or even years. Applicants face not only significant financial burdens related to international travel, but also potential disruptions to employment and income loss due to time spent away from the U.S.

Life-Threatening Legal Risks (Entry Bans)

This is the most dangerous aspect. If an applicant has ever overstayed their legal status in the U.S., leaving the country to initiate the green card interview process may immediately trigger a 3- or 10-year entry ban. This could mean they are permanently unable to reunite with their families in the United States.

The essence of the new U.S. green card policy marks a complete departure from the era of “first enter, then immigrate” that was once relatively lenient. For the large population of foreign nationals currently living in the U.S., the path to staying has become significantly narrower—and far more risky.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866034512979136/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.