Trump administration tightens US immigration rules, orders green card applicants to apply from home countries | Today’s news

President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday (local time) continued its crackdown on immigrants in the US, announcing a new policy for foreigners seeking permanent residency in the country.

According to a Bloomberg report, those seeking permanent residency in Washington will have to return to their home countries to apply for green cards.

The Trump administration is stepping up crackdowns on immigrants

Zach Kahler, a spokesman for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said in a statement: “From now on, an alien who is temporarily in the US and wants a green card must return to their home country to apply, except in exceptional circumstances.” Kahler added, “This policy allows our immigration system to function as intended by law, instead of encouraging loopholes.”

Citing officials, CBS News said they plan to end the option for many immigrants seeking a green card to complete the process without leaving the country. Under the new approach, most of these immigrants would instead have to return to their home countries and apply for an immigrant visa abroad at a U.S. consulate.

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What does the document say?

A memorandum issued by USCIS on Friday aims to strictly limit when the agency can allow immigrants to obtain a green card through the “adjustment of status” process. The route reportedly allows eligible immigrants already in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country to apply at a U.S. consulate abroad.

In a memo describing the change, USCIS staff who make decisions on permanent resident applications were told that certain exceptions could be made. The notice directed them to “consider and weigh all relevant evidence in the record, taking into account all the circumstances, to determine whether the alien is eligible for permanent residence.”

In addition, it also directs federal agency officials to treat adjustment of status as an “extraordinary” form of relief and an act of “administrative clemency,” citing federal law that says most green card applicants should complete the process overseas. Additionally, officers are now told to consider adjustment of status a rare and special benefit, not a normal option. Officers are now instructed to consider choosing to adjust status before applying at a U.S. consulate abroad as a negative factor in a person’s case.

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While the policy doesn’t spell out all the exceptions, the memo says some groups, such as those on “dual purpose” visas like the H-1B for highly skilled workers, as well as refugees and asylees, will likely be able to apply for a green card in the country through adjustment of status.

Trump’s policy change could affect thousands of people

Immigration law experts say the announcement of the new policy could affect hundreds of thousands of people a year and potentially further reduce legal immigration amid a sweeping government crackdown.

The Trump administration has imposed a series of restrictions that affect everyone from asylum seekers to students and highly skilled workers.

The new rules broadly affect aliens who entered the U.S. on temporary nonimmigrant visas, such as students, H-1B or L visa workers, and visitors. Washington issues about one million green cards a year, but nearly half are for foreign relatives sponsored by American citizens, and those cases are usually handled outside the country.

The Trump administration’s stance on immigrants

The development comes as citizens of at least 39 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia, are banned or restricted from entering Washington under a declaration signed by the US president on national security grounds, commonly known as the “travel ban”.

Read also | The Trump administration is expanding the travel ban to other countries

In a separate policy, the administration has also suspended all immigrant visas for people from 75 countries who want to move permanently to the U.S., which officials say could become a financial burden. In most cases, individuals who have overstayed their visas and lived in the country for years without permission would face a ten-year re-entry ban if they leave the country.

Key things

• The new immigration policy mandates green card applicants to leave the US and apply from their home countries.
• The change is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of immigrants a year, potentially reducing legal immigration.
• Adjustment of status is now considered an “extraordinary” process, making it a rare option for most applicants.