Trump administration reconsiders Green Card policy

The Trump administration has reversed its earlier statement that non‑citizens seeking permanent U.S. residency, commonly known as a Green Card, would have to return to their home country to apply, The New York Times reported.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told the newspaper on Friday that the policy announced last week was not a blanket requirement for all applicants, but would instead be applied “on a case‑by‑case basis.”

A Trump administration spokesman, Zach Kahler, said on May 22 that “from now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.”

The announcement was seen as a significant shift in U.S. policy and raised concerns among the millions of immigrants who hope to become permanent residents.

President Donald Trump campaigned for the White House on a pledge to expel millions of undocumented migrants, yet his administration has also closed several legal pathways to U.S. residency since taking office.

The United States issues more than one million Green Cards each year, and, up until now, more than half of the applicants were already in the United States, according to the American Immigration Council.

A U.S. official told AFP on Saturday that the policy “restates longstanding law and policy — which was disregarded by the Biden Administration.”

“This policy will not prevent any alien from obtaining a green card who legitimately and properly qualify. It will result in some aliens who do not merit the discretionary benefit ultimately applying with the Department of State overseas,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“This policy will have no noticeable impact on highly qualified applicants and skilled professionals who have followed the law,” the official added.

AFP

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