The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a new policy requiring foreigners seeking permanent residency in the United States to apply for green cards from their home countries rather than while staying temporarily in the U.S.
The policy, unveiled on Friday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, directs immigration officers to assess applications on a case-by-case basis to determine whether extraordinary relief should be granted.
According to the department, individuals temporarily residing in the United States who wish to obtain green cards must return to their countries of origin to complete the application process through the U.S. State Department.
Homeland Security said the move was intended to ensure the immigration system operates “as the law intended” and to prevent what it described as loopholes in the process. The agency also stated that the policy would allow the immigration system to redirect resources toward handling other cases more efficiently.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from refugee and immigrant support groups. HIAS argued that the policy could expose vulnerable migrants, including survivors of human trafficking and abused children, to danger by forcing them to return to countries they had fled.
The latest measure is part of a broader crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump. Over the past year, the administration has introduced several restrictions, including shortening visa durations for students, exchange visitors, and foreign media workers.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State disclosed that more than 100,000 visas had been revoked since Trump returned to office.
