Proposed green card policy change would force immigrants to apply from home countries, disrupting half a million lives annually
By
Irina D. Manta
Fresh out the oven, still warm. Top of the tray.
Summary
A proposed U.S. policy change would require green card applicants to apply from their home countries instead of from within the United States, disrupting a process used by over half a million people annually. The policy memorandum, issued in May 2026, assumes legal immigrants are evading the law by adjusting status domestically. This departure from longtime practice would cause significant disruption, forcing families to separate and upending lives while applicants wait abroad for processing.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMore than half a million people rely every year on the ability to apply from within the United States for a green card.
In May 2026 the federal government issued a policy memorandum – essentially, a draft change to current policy – that could upend this process and deny immigrants the ability to apply for a green card while in the U.S.
Instead, they would have to return to their home country to do it.
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