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.”

Critics argue that forcing applicants to leave the country creates risks that they may not be allowed to return quickly — or at all.

According to the U.S. State Department, immigrants who overstay visas can face deportation proceedings and reentry bans that may last up to 10 years.

Backlog Impacts Millions of Green Card Applicants

The new policy arrives as the immigration system already faces enormous delays.

Experts at the Cato Institute estimate that more than one million immigrants are currently waiting for approval on adjustment-of-status applications tied to green cards.

USCIS officials argue that shifting many applications overseas will allow the agency to focus on other priorities, including:

• Naturalization applications
• Human trafficking victim visas
• Violent crime victim protections
• Other immigration benefit programs

The agency also stated that officers will continue reviewing requests for exemptions on a “case-by-case basis.”

Broader Immigration Crackdown Continues

The green card restrictions are only the latest immigration measures introduced during Trump’s second administration.

The administration has already imposed travel bans or visa restrictions affecting citizens from nearly 40 countries. Another recent policy temporarily paused the issuance of immigrant visas for applicants from dozens of nations.

Supporters of the administration say the tougher rules strengthen immigration enforcement and reduce abuse of the visa system. Opponents argue the measures make legal immigration significantly harder and create instability for families trying to follow the law.

As the policy takes effect, immigration attorneys expect confusion, legal challenges, and growing concern among immigrants currently living and working in the United States.