In a move that could affect thousands of Indians waiting for US permanent residency, the Trump administration has announced a major change to the Green Card process.
Under new guidance from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), migrants who want a Green Card will now usually have to leave the US and apply from their home countries instead of staying in America during the process.
What Is a Green Card?
A Green Card is an official document that gives foreign nationals permanent residency rights in the US.
Green Card holders can:
- live anywhere in the US,
- work for most employers,
- study in the country,
- travel in and out of the US under certain rules,
- and later apply for US citizenship if they qualify.
What Did US Officials Say?
“From now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said.
He added, “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly.”
Who Could Be Affected by the New Rule?
The decision could affect:
- international students,
- H-1B visa workers,
- and tourists currently living in the US who hoped to become permanent residents without leaving the country.
According to the new policy memo, applying for a Green Card while staying inside the US will now be treated as an exceptional measure. Immigration officers will review such requests individually.
What Has the Department of Homeland Security Said?
The Department of Homeland Security posted on social media:
“An alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply. This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes. The era of abusing our nation’s immigration system is over.”
The agency also said:
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the US for a short time and for a specific purpose. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process.”
How Important Are Indians in the Green Card System?
In financial year 2024, around 49,700 Indian-born immigrants became US citizens through the Green Card process.
Indians were the second-largest group after Mexicans and made up 6.1 per cent of all people who became US citizens that year.
Why Does the US Government Support This Change?
The administration said moving applications to US consulates abroad would help USCIS save resources.
Officials said those resources could then be used for other priorities, including:
- citizenship applications,
- visas for victims of violent crime,
- and support for victims of human trafficking.
First published on: May 23, 2026 07:37 AM IST
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