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On May 22, 2026, the Trump administration announced a sweeping change to one of the most fundamental aspects of the U.S. immigration system — the ability of foreigners already living in the United States to apply for a green card without leaving the country. After more than 50 years of settled practice, this pathway is being eliminated.
For over half a century, a process known as "adjustment of status" allowed foreign nationals already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence — a green card — without ever needing to leave. This applied to a wide range of individuals: spouses of U.S. citizens, holders of work visas (H-1B, L-1, etc.), students on F-1 visas, refugees, asylum seekers, and many others. The entire process — paperwork, biometrics, medical exams, and interviews — could be completed on U.S. soil.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday that going forward, most foreigners wishing to obtain a green card will be required to leave the United States and apply through a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. This is a process known as "consular processing" — previously one of two available routes, now likely to become the only route for most applicants.
In an emailed statement to the Associated Press, USCIS indicated that individuals who provide an "economic benefit" or serve a "national interest" may be permitted to remain in the United States during the application process. However, the agency did not clarify who exactly qualifies under these terms, when the policy takes effect, or whether applications already in progress would be affected.
Experts and immigration attorneys have raised urgent concerns about people from countries already under U.S. travel bans or visa processing pauses. If someone from such a country leaves the U.S. to apply for a green card at a consulate, they may be barred from re-entering the United States — possibly indefinitely. For refugees and asylum seekers, returning to their home country could present genuine physical danger.
Categories heavily affected include: spouses and children of U.S. citizens, H-1B and other employment visa holders, international students, refugees and asylum seekers, Diversity Visa lottery winners, and long-term residents on temporary status.
This announcement is part of a sustained campaign by the Trump administration to restrict both legal and illegal immigration. Alongside this change, the administration has already imposed travel bans on dozens of countries and suspended visa processing for others. The cumulative effect, critics say, is a systematic effort to reduce the number of people who can achieve permanent residence and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship.
According to Doug Rand, a former USCIS senior advisor under the Biden administration, roughly 600,000 people already living in the United States apply for a green card each year through the adjustment of status route. That pipeline — built over decades — is now at risk of being dismantled.
The announcement sowed immediate confusion and concern among immigration lawyers, aid organizations, and immigrant communities. Legal experts noted that the policy is vague enough to create a "chilling effect" — causing many eligible applicants to delay or abandon their applications out of fear of being stranded abroad or losing their current legal status.
Adjustment of status becomes standard practice — hundreds of thousands benefit annually.
Travel bans enacted; processing times slowed; legal immigration pathways tightened.
Immigration processing resumed; backlogs addressed; adjustment of status continued.
Immediate executive orders restricting entry; deportation operations expanded.
USCIS announces end of domestic green card applications — consular processing required for most.
If you are currently in the U.S. and have a pending or planned green card application, immigration attorneys strongly recommend seeking legal counsel immediately. Do not travel internationally until your specific situation is assessed. The legal landscape is changing rapidly, and court challenges to this policy are expected.
On May 22, 2026, the Trump administration announced a sweeping change to one of the most fundamental aspects of the U.S. immigration system — the ability of foreigners already living in the United States to apply for a green card without leaving the country. After more than 50 years of settled practice, this pathway is being eliminated.
For over half a century, a process known as "adjustment of status" allowed foreign nationals already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence — a green card — without ever needing to leave. This applied to a wide range of individuals: spouses of U.S. citizens, holders of work visas (H-1B, L-1, etc.), students on F-1 visas, refugees, asylum seekers, and many others. The entire process — paperwork, biometrics, medical exams, and interviews — could be completed on U.S. soil.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday that going forward, most foreigners wishing to obtain a green card will be required to leave the United States and apply through a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. This is a process known as "consular processing" — previously one of two available routes, now likely to become the only route for most applicants.
In an emailed statement to the Associated Press, USCIS indicated that individuals who provide an "economic benefit" or serve a "national interest" may be permitted to remain in the United States during the application process. However, the agency did not clarify who exactly qualifies under these terms, when the policy takes effect, or whether applications already in progress would be affected.
Experts and immigration attorneys have raised urgent concerns about people from countries already under U.S. travel bans or visa processing pauses. If someone from such a country leaves the U.S. to apply for a green card at a consulate, they may be barred from re-entering the United States — possibly indefinitely. For refugees and asylum seekers, returning to their home country could present genuine physical danger.
Categories heavily affected include: spouses and children of U.S. citizens, H-1B and other employment visa holders, international students, refugees and asylum seekers, Diversity Visa lottery winners, and long-term residents on temporary status.
This announcement is part of a sustained campaign by the Trump administration to restrict both legal and illegal immigration. Alongside this change, the administration has already imposed travel bans on dozens of countries and suspended visa processing for others. The cumulative effect, critics say, is a systematic effort to reduce the number of people who can achieve permanent residence and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship.
According to Doug Rand, a former USCIS senior advisor under the Biden administration, roughly 600,000 people already living in the United States apply for a green card each year through the adjustment of status route. That pipeline — built over decades — is now at risk of being dismantled.
The announcement sowed immediate confusion and concern among immigration lawyers, aid organizations, and immigrant communities. Legal experts noted that the policy is vague enough to create a "chilling effect" — causing many eligible applicants to delay or abandon their applications out of fear of being stranded abroad or losing their current legal status.
Adjustment of status becomes standard practice — hundreds of thousands benefit annually.
Travel bans enacted; processing times slowed; legal immigration pathways tightened.
Immigration processing resumed; backlogs addressed; adjustment of status continued.
Immediate executive orders restricting entry; deportation operations expanded.
USCIS announces end of domestic green card applications — consular processing required for most.
If you are currently in the U.S. and have a pending or planned green card application, immigration attorneys strongly recommend seeking legal counsel immediately. Do not travel internationally until your specific situation is assessed. The legal landscape is changing rapidly, and court challenges to this policy are expected.
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© 2024 BRBF Immigration Solutions LLC
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