NewsNBC Miami PoliticsMay 22, 2026United States
Trump Administration Changes Green Card Application Process for Visa Holders
The Trump administration has announced a policy change requiring individuals on temporary visas who wish to apply for a green card to return to their home countries for consular processing rather than adjusting their status while remaining in the U.S. The administration states this move is intended to increase efficiency and reduce illegal overstays, while critics argue it creates significant barriers for families and legal applicants.
Read the full story at NBC Miami PoliticsWhy It Matters
This policy change affects the legal status and residency process for hundreds of thousands of individuals currently in the U.S. on temporary visas, requiring them to leave the country to pursue permanent residency.
Key Facts
- Individuals on temporary visas (students, workers, tourists) must now return to their home countries to apply for a green card.
- The policy mandates 'consular processing' abroad instead of 'adjusting status' while inside the U.S.
- Exceptions to the new rule will only be granted in 'extraordinary circumstances'.
- The administration claims the change will reduce the number of people who remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.
- USCIS states the change is intended to free up resources for other priorities like naturalization and visas for victims of crime.
- Approximately 500,000 people typically apply for green cards from within the U.S. each year.
- Critics argue the policy will force family separations and create insurmountable barriers for those from countries currently under travel bans.