How Is the Trump Administration Changing the Green Card Application Process?
The change could force hundreds of thousands to seek residency abroad and may separate families for months or years, critics said.
- On Friday, the Trump administration announced that most foreigners seeking permanent residency must return to their home countries for consular processing instead of applying domestically through Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Agency spokesperson Zach Kahler stated the policy allows the immigration system to "function as the law intended," reducing the need to remove those who remain in the United States illegally.
- About 1.4 million green cards were granted in 2024, with more than 820,000 approved domestically; over 70% of spousal applicants, totaling about 250,000 people, previously utilized adjustment of status.
- Immigration attorney Robert O'Malley in Grand Rapids, Michigan, reported clients called Friday seeking clarity, as lawyers fear extended family separations and administrative chaos while awaiting further guidance.
- Sarah Pierce, former Citizenship and Immigration Services analyst, warned the consular system is "already overburdened," as the policy aligns with federal efforts to review green card holders for potential deportation.
66 Articles
66 Articles
Green Card Process Tightened by Washington Leaves 1.2 Million Families Stranded in EB‑2 Backlog
Washington's tightening of the US green card process is deepening a crisis already trapping more than 1.2 million families in an employment-based backlog, with the latest US visa bulletin 2026 offering little relief for those stuck in the EB-2 queue. The policy shift is seen as a warning that many highly skilled workers could be forced to abandon long-term US plans and re-evaluate their futures abroad. The changes form part of a broader effort t…
Green card rules tighten: what it means for Israelis and what can be done
New US policy could require many Israelis seeking green cards to leave America and complete the process at the embassy in Israel, creating legal risks for those who overstayed visas and possible long separations for families and workers
Green Card Seekers Must Leave U.S. to Apply, Trump Administration Says
The Trump administration said on Friday that most foreigners seeking green cards will have to return to their home countries to apply, an extraordinary change that could make it more difficult for hundreds of thousands of people to obtain permanent…
Trump Sets His Sights on Restricting Legal Immigration
“The Trump administration has pulled back its aggressive operations in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis after bad polling indicated the crackdown on illegal immigration was unpopular,” the New York Times reports. “In its wake, however, a new approach is emerging on legal immigration, one that makes it harder for those abroad to enter the United States, and for those already here on a temporary basis to stay. In recent months, Trump administra…
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