The US immigration authority USCIS announced a far-reaching rule change on Friday: applications for a green card – permanent residency status – are to be filed primarily from abroad in the future. Those already temporarily in the US, such as students, temporary workers, or tourists, must return to their home country to apply. Exceptions apply only under “extraordinary circumstances,” according to USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler.
Previously, it was possible to apply for a green card from within the US under certain conditions. According to the Washington Post, more than one million green cards were issued annually – more than half of applicants were already in the country at the time of application. The new rule is intended to prevent people from staying illegally in the US after a rejected green card and then having to be deported at great expense, Kahler said.
The tightening affects “tens of thousands of people,” according to Elizabeth Goss – including doctors, professors, researchers, and executives. She criticized the move as unfounded, since those affected had already been vetted by authorities. The measure is not a security issue but an unnecessary hurdle.
EuroPulse reported on May 23, 2026, on Trump’s foreign policy escalation in the Iran conflict: Pakistan mediates in Tehran – Trump considers attacks on Iran.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
