U.S. Green Card Requirements Tightened... Trump Administration Strengthens Overseas Screening Policy

New Guidelines Require Green Card Applications from Home Country
Concerns Over Consular Backlogs... Risk of Being Unable to Re-enter U.S.

The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has announced new policies significantly tightening the green card acquisition process, which is expected to cause considerable repercussions throughout the entire U.S. immigration system.

The U.S. administration has announced new guidelines requiring green card applications from foreigners to be processed overseas. The photo is not directly related to the article content. Pixabay

According to local media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and The Washington Post (WP) on May 22 (local time), the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released new guidelines requiring green card applications from foreigners to be processed overseas. As a result, the previous practice of entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas—such as student visas (F-1), tourist visas (B-2), and temporary work visas (H-1B)—and then changing visa status within the U.S. to apply for a green card will now be permitted only in exceptional cases.

Until now, it was common in the U.S. for foreigners who entered the country legally to adjust their status to permanent residency by marrying a U.S. citizen or securing an employment sponsor while residing in the country. In fact, more than 1 million green cards are issued in the U.S. each year, and it is known that more than half of these go to applicants already living in the country. However, once the new policy is implemented, a significant number of applicants will be required to return to their home country and undergo an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Jack Kahler, a spokesperson for USCIS, explained, "Holders of non-immigrant visas, such as students, temporary workers, or tourists, are in the U.S. temporarily for specific purposes," adding, "Processing most cases at overseas consulates will enable USCIS to focus its limited resources on priority tasks such as visas for crime victims, protection for victims of human trafficking, and naturalization reviews."

The issue is that the consular process itself is often delayed for months or even years. The WSJ reported, "With the implementation of the new regulation, backlogs may worsen." Even those applying for a green card through a U.S. citizen spouse or child may face the possibility of being separated from their families for extended periods.

In particular, anxiety is rising among immigrants from countries targeted by the Trump administration’s travel restrictions. The WP pointed out, "Applicants from countries subject to travel bans or visa issuance limitations may find themselves unable to re-enter the U.S. if they leave the country."

Legal controversy is also expected to follow. Rosanna Berardi, an immigration attorney in New York, said in a U.S. broadcast interview, "Even international students and professional workers legally residing in the U.S. could be affected," adding, "The green card process will become much more complex and uncertain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.