The Trump administration has moved to make green card applications significantly harder for many foreign nationals already in the United States, with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announcing a new policy on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Under the change, most people seeking permanent residency will be required to leave the US and apply from their home countries rather than complete the process from within the country.
The rule is aimed at applicants on temporary, non-immigrant visas and could affect students, tourists, and temporary workers.
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An alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 22, 2026
This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes.
The era of abusing our nation’s immigration system is over. https://t.co/ofyEYGPDLC
Washington redraws the residency rulebook
The policy focuses on the long-used “adjustment of status” route, which had allowed eligible immigrants already living in the US to apply for a green card without leaving the country.
USCIS has reclassified that route as an “extraordinary form of relief,” meaning it will now be approved only in limited, exceptional cases.
USCIS said an applicant who is “in the US temporarily and wants a green card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.” USCIS also said the change would prevent the immigration system from encouraging “loopholes.”
A mighty upheaval brews for visa holders
The broader effect could be substantial. The change could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and force them to leave their jobs, families, and communities while applications are processed.
USCIS said the rule includes exemptions for “extraordinary circumstances.” Separately, NDTV quoted the agency saying it was “returning to the original intent of the law” and that applicants must return to their home country except in extraordinary cases.
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This is a radical change to immigration policy, forcing anyone applying for a green card to leave the country indefinitely, forget whether they have American kids, spouse, etc.
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) May 22, 2026
The talking point that we do want legal immigration, we just want people to get in line and follow… https://t.co/g8DVq2t6kN
Attorneys raise an eyebrow
The development has already drawn concern from immigration observers and attorneys.
The Times of India reported that lawyer Rahul Reddy said the new memo changes how applications will be judged, even though the underlying law has not changed. Experts are waiting for more clarity on how USCIS will implement the policy, while many expect legal challenges. The rule is likely to face court challenges.
