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A major new green card policy announced by the Trump administration could dramatically reshape how immigrants apply for permanent residency in the United States.

Under the updated guidance issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), many immigrants currently living legally in the U.S. will now be required to leave the country and complete the residency application process abroad unless they qualify for “extraordinary circumstances.”

The policy change is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown and is designed to reduce what officials describe as loopholes in the immigration system.

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According to the new USCIS memo, individuals in the United States on temporary visas — including students, tourists, and temporary workers — will generally no longer be able to adjust their status to permanent resident while remaining in the country.

What the New Green Card Policy Changes

Previously, many immigrants who entered the U.S. legally on temporary visas could apply for a green card through a process known as “adjustment of status.” That system allowed applicants to remain with their families in the U.S. while their paperwork was processed.

Under the new rules, most applicants must instead use “consular processing,” meaning they must return to their home countries and apply through the U.S. Department of State and American consulates abroad.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Department of Homeland Security declared, “The era of abusing our nation’s immigration system is over.”

USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler defended the policy, saying it restores the “original intent” of immigration law and discourages visa overstays.

“From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” Kahler said.

Green Cards Cause Family Separation and Delays

Immigration advocates and former government officials say the move could create serious hardships for families and employers.

Michael Valverde, who previously served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, warned that the changes may affect hundreds of thousands of immigrants each year.

“This is a largely unprecedented move that will limit lawful immigration to the U.S. greatly,” Valverde told CBS News. “People who followed the rules faithfully now face tremendous uncertainty.”