Trump Forces Green Card Applicants To Leave US Under New Immigration Rule
The Trump administration has introduced a new immigration policy requiring many foreigners living in the United States on temporary visas to return to their home countries before applying for green cards. The rule applies to visa holders including H-1B workers, students, and corporate employees. USCIS said the change is aimed at preventing immigration loopholes and restoring the system to its intended process. Immigration experts warn the move could impact hundreds of thousands of people annually, reduce legal immigration, and create longer delays and uncertainty for foreign workers, students, and families already living in America.
Foreigners already living in the US on temporary visas who want to apply for permanent residency will have to return to their country first under regulations set to be released by Donald Trump’s administration.
Key HighlightsThe
- US expands suspicionless detainment to green card applicants, most of whom have to leave the US first
- Rules for temporary visa holders (H-1B workers, students)The
- Donald Trump administration says tightening up on immigration loopholes
- Experts say the plan could dramatically cut legal immigration
- USCIS says exemptions are only for extraordinary circumstances
Temporary Visa Holders Now Have to Apply From Their Home Countries
The Trump administration plans to make sweeping moves in U.S. immigration policy, which requires many foreigners living in America on temporary visas to depart before they can seek green card status. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the rule applies to people in the U. S. on non-immigrant visas like H-1B skilled workers, L visa employees or international students and visitors. USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said the new method would cause the immigration system to function “as legally intended, instead of people exploiting loopholes while being in the US”.
Trump Administration Tightens Immigration Rules
The latest green card policy arrives as US President Donald Trump is expanding his immigration crackdown in multiple areas. The latest move could affect hundreds of thousands of applicants annually and further stagnate legal immigration into the country, immigration experts say. The US already gives away approximately one million green cards a year, many of which are processed abroad to begin with, because they are family-sponsored applications made by US citizens themselves.
Selection Process Gets Difficult
USCIS said exceptions will still be permitted for extremely exceptional circumstances, but that officers examining green cards would have more leeway. According to internal guidance, USCIS staff was directed to consider the totality of circumstances before determining whether an individual is eligible for a green card in the U.S. According to legal observers, the move could mean longer wait times, larger fees and greater uncertainty for foreign workers and students already in America who would have qualified as a matter of right.
Fair Use: Immigration Lawyers Warn Of More Uncertainty Ahead
Immigration lawyers say the policy could have a particularly adverse effect on skilled workers and foreign students who had been eligible to switch from temporary visas to permanent residency without leaving America. The new system, critics say, could disrupt careers and family arrangements and affect employer sponsorship initiatives. The supporters of the policy contend it will enhance immigration controls and stem abuse of the temporary visa system.
FAQs
- What’s changing about the US green card process?
In addition, many people on temporary visas, if they are granted this, will now be required to return home before applying for permanent residency.
- Who does the rule affect?
It impacts individuals on temporary non-immigrant visas such as H-1B, L visas, student visas and visitors.
- Will there be any exceptions?
Yes, Exceptions to this rule, according to USCIS, may be possible in extraordinary circumstances.
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