Trump Administration Tightens Green Card Rules, Forcing Many Applicants Abroad
The Trump administration has overhauled the process for many green card applicants, requiring some people who are in the United States on temporary status to leave the country and apply from abroad. On May 22, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said those seeking permanent residence will generally need to file through a local American embassy or consulate, with exceptions allowed only in “extraordinary circumstances.”
For decades, the most common route for people already in the United States was adjustment of status, which let eligible applicants remain in the country while their cases were processed. Attorney Michael Dekker said the change does not eliminate the right to pursue a green card through marriage, but it does change the way the application is filed. He warned that leaving the United States can trigger unlawful-presence penalties, including three-year or 10-year reentry bars for some applicants.
USCIS did not close the door completely. Some applicants may still qualify for in-country processing, including spouses of U.S. citizens who have maintained lawful status throughout, certain TPS holders, VAWA applicants, and some people on valid work visas who have always complied with their terms. Dekker said each case must be examined individually, and there is no blanket rule that everyone must leave.
The change does not affect applications already filed and in advanced stages, but anyone planning to apply soon must review travel history, past periods of unlawful stay, and whether the marriage is to a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. The new approach is part of a broader Trump administration effort to restrict legal immigration. The Department of Homeland Security says about 1.4 million people received green cards in fiscal 2024, and the policy could affect hundreds of thousands each year. Legal experts are already questioning its legality and possible court challenges, but for now the rule remains in force.
