The United States has introduced a major change to its immigration system. Foreigners seeking permanent residency will now have to leave the country to apply for green cards, except in what the government defines as extraordinary circumstances.
The new policy represents a significant departure from the previous system, which allowed many applicants to adjust their status without leaving US soil. The change could affect hundreds of thousands of people currently living and working in the United States while their applications are processed.
Immigration experts warn that the policy could leave applicants stranded abroad for extended periods of time. Processing times at US consulates and embassies vary widely, and some applicants could face waits of months or even years before their cases are resolved.
The impact on families is expected to be particularly severe. Many green card applicants have US citizen spouses, children enrolled in American schools, and established careers in the country. Being forced to leave could disrupt all of these connections simultaneously.
The policy change is part of the broader immigration reforms pursued by the Trump administration. Critics argue it targets the legal immigration system rather than unauthorized migration, fundamentally changing who qualifies to become a permanent resident in the United States.