Trump's New Green Card Plan Isn't Designed to Keep Immigrants Here The Trump administration announced a new policy Friday that will significantly complicate the path for immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States. Under the proposed changes, except in extraordinary circumstances, individuals applying for green cards must first return to their home countries to apply at U.S. consular offices abroad. This shift marks a departure from the longstanding practice of allowing immigrants already living in the U.S. on visas to pursue permanent residency through “adjustment of status.” USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler framed the policy as a move toward “fairness and efficiency,” but critics argue it is fundamentally exclusionary. Former USCIS official Doug Rand, in a statement, directly called the policy’s purpose “exclusion,” noting that it aligns with Trump’s existing ban on entry for people from over 100 countries. Rand emphasized that forcing applicants to return home for consular processing effectively removes a viable pathway to residency. The green card process, already known for its length, cost, and complexity, will become even more burdensome under this new rule. According to Department of Homeland Security data, the U.S. issued approximately 1.4 million green cards in 2024, with over 820,000 granted to applicants already residing in the country through adjustment of status. This group includes spouses, children of U.S. citizens, and skilled professionals securing residency through employers. The policy’s reversal of this process risks destabilizing families and disrupting lives. For many applicants, the requirement to return home introduces new challenges. Unreliable transportation to remote embassies, limited access to legal support, and the absence of the U.S.#trump_administration #department_of_homeland_security #uscis #zach_kahler #doug_rand
