U.S. Immigration Agency Says Green Card Applicants Must Apply From Their Home Countries

Foreign nationals seeking U.S. permanent residency will now have to file their applications in their home countries, not in the United States.
According to The Associated Press (AP) and other foreign media, USCIS announced on the 22nd, local time, that it will revise its rules so foreign nationals can apply for permanent residency only in their home countries, except in special cases. The previous rule, which allowed applicants to seek green cards while staying in the United States, will apply only in exceptional circumstances.
Those who leave the United States to apply for a green card may end up staying in their home countries for a long time, or even become unable to re-enter the United States.
AP reported that confusion and concern are rising as a rule that had been in place for half a century is suddenly changed.
Until now, foreign nationals legally staying in the United States could complete the green card process without leaving the country. Those married to U.S. citizens, people with valid work or student visas, refugees, and political asylum seekers have all been able to finish the process while remaining in the United States.
The move is expected to make it harder for foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residency.
As the Donald Trump administration raises the bar for entry by restricting travel to the United States from dozens of countries, it is also making the green card application process more difficult.
There is growing concern, in particular, over the requirement that applicants return to their home countries before applying for permanent residency.
World Relief, a refugee aid group, said, "For noncitizen family members in countries where immigrant visa applications are not processed, requiring them to return home and go through the immigrant visa process will be a true catch-22 for those affected." World Relief warned, "This policy will effectively lead to indefinite family separation."
USCIS said that foreign nationals currently staying in the United States temporarily, those seeking permanent residency cards, or holders of nonimmigrant visas must return to their home countries and apply for permanent residency there. It added, without disclosing details, that exceptions will be granted only in "extraordinary circumstances." Whether a situation qualifies as extraordinary will be determined by an immigration officer.
In a statement, USCIS said, "Nonimmigrants such as students, temporary workers, and visitors on travel visas come to the United States for a short period and for a specific purpose," adding, "Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit ends." The statement also made clear that "that visit should not serve as the first step in the green card process."
Meanwhile, USCIS did not say whether foreign nationals who return home to apply for a green card must remain there throughout the process, or whether the changed policy will affect foreigners whose applications are already pending.


dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter