Trump Policy Could Send Legal Residents Abroad To Apply for Green Cards
A new policy from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires green card applicants to apply for permanent residency from abroad. This change is seen as a departure from the current process that allows applicants to adjust their status while in the U.S. Critics argue that the policy contradicts existing immigration law and limits access to permanent residency.
- ▪The USCIS memo mandates that adjustment of status applications must be filed outside the U.S., unless in extraordinary circumstances.
- ▪This policy is effective immediately but does not have the force of law as it is a guidance document.
- ▪The USCIS claims the adjustment of status process was misused and intends to apply the Immigration and Nationality Act more strictly.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Immigration Trump Policy Could Send Legal Residents Abroad To Apply for Green Cards A new memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would require green card applicants to apply for permanent residency abroad—but the law it cites may say the opposite. Tosin Akintola | 5.26.2026 12:20 PM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/Closes-Migrant-Loophole-v1-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="Trump administration official and background of tweet behind him" alt="Trump administration official and background of tweet behind him | Illustration: Michael…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Reason Magazine.