Trump Administration Orders Green Card Applicants to Leave US

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced a sweeping policy change on Friday that will require people seeking green cards to leave the United States during the application process, potentially upending the lives of hundreds of thousands of legal visa holders.

Under the new rule issued by U.S. immigration authorities, green card applicants will now be compelled to return to their home countries to apply for permanent visas. The abrupt shift stands to impact a large portion of the legal immigration population currently living and working in the country, separating families and disrupting workplaces. The green card application process is notoriously complex and often takes months or even years to resolve.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated that the rule contains exemptions for extraordinary circumstances. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler explained that requiring individuals to apply from their home countries reduces the operational burden of tracking and removing those who choose to remain in the U.S. illegally after their applications are denied. According to Department of Homeland Security data, approximately 1.4 million people obtained lawful permanent residence in fiscal year 2024.

The policy change has already drawn a torrent of criticism from lawmakers, immigration advocates, and legal experts, and is highly likely to face swift legal challenges. Illinois Democratic Representative Delia C. Ramirez condemned the policy as cruel, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated the measure betrays the foundational promise of the country. Critics like California Representative Ted Lieu and David J. Bier of the Cato Institute warned the rule is illogical and will damage American competitiveness by driving top global talent, including researchers and engineers, to foreign competitors.

While the administration has prioritized targeting illegal immigration, this regulation marks the latest in a series of restrictive measures aimed at curbing legal pathways to residency. Other recent policy shifts include reducing asylum claims, ending Temporary Protected Status for several nations, restricting work and student visas, and reexamining existing green cards for individuals from 19 designated countries.

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