US Implements Stricter Green Card Policy For Immigrants/Image@ BBC
In a significant shift, the United States has unveiled a new policy that complicates the process for immigrants already residing in the country to secure a green card, or permanent residency.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced in a recent policy memo that individuals seeking to change their immigration status must now do so through consular processing outside the United States, with exceptions made only in extraordinary situations.
This move, part of the Trump administration’s strategy to limit illegal immigration, effectively closes a loophole that previously allowed visa holders and visitors to apply for green cards while remaining in the country.
Critics argue that the previous system enabled families to stay together during the often lengthy application process.
The new approach could create significant challenges for immigrants who leave the US in pursuit of a green card, potentially hindering their ability to return.
According to the USCIS memo, individuals such as students, temporary workers, or tourists must now engage with the Department of State from outside the US.
”Processing applications from home countries reduces the likelihood of individuals evading immigration laws by remaining in the US unlawfully after being denied residency,” USCIS stated, claiming the updated system is “fairer and more efficient.”
On social media platform X, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS, declared: “The era of exploiting our immigration system is over.”
USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler emphasized that the agency is returning to the original intent of immigration laws to ensure proper navigation through the system.
Kahler stated, “From now on, individuals temporarily in the US who wish to obtain a green card must return to their home country to apply, barring extraordinary circumstances.”
He argued that adhering to legal protocols allows for more efficient handling of cases by the State Department at consular offices abroad while freeing up USCIS resources for other priorities, such as visas for victims of violence and human trafficking.
Becoming a green card holder permits individuals to live and work permanently in the US. The process can be lengthy, spanning several months to years.
Currently, over a million legal immigrants are awaiting approval for their adjustment of status applications, according to the Cato Institute’s director of immigration studies.
Kahler noted that following established laws enables more cases to be processed by consular offices overseas, allowing USCIS to focus on other essential applications.
The agency stated that immigration officers will consider all relevant factors on a case-by-case basis when determining eligibility for this extraordinary form of relief.
Michael Valverde, a former senior USCIS official who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations until his departure last year, expressed concerns about the announcement’s potential impact.
He told CBS News that this unprecedented move could disrupt plans for hundreds of thousands of families and employers each year. “Those who have adhered to regulations now face significant uncertainty,” Valverde remarked.
The Trump administration has previously implemented bans or restrictions affecting citizens from nearly 40 countries.
Additionally, a recent policy has halted all visa issuances for immigrant applicants from 75 nations.
Overstaying a US visa can result in deportation, ineligibility for future visas, and re-entry bans lasting up to ten years, according to the US State Department.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong