The Trump administration has announced a significant policy change that impacts foreigners looking to obtain green cards. As of last Friday, most applicants will now need to apply from outside the United States. This adjustment marks a notable shift from traditional practices.
Previously, many individuals residing in the U.S. on temporary visas could file for green cards while remaining in the country. Immigration lawyers highlight that this change could influence hundreds of thousands of applicants each year.
This decision is seen as an intensification of efforts by the administration to reduce legal migration. Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, noted the changes at a prior engagement at the agency’s headquarters in Camp Springs, Maryland.