The Trump administration has announced a significant change in immigration policy, requiring individuals holding temporary visas in the United States to apply for green cards from their home countries. This shift, described by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesperson Zach Kahler, aims to ensure that those who are denied residency do not remain in the U.S. illegally.
Policy Details and Implications
According to the new policy, non-immigrant visa holders, including students, temporary workers, and tourists, are expected to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency through consular processing. Kahler emphasized that this approach aligns with the original intent of non-immigrant visas, which is to allow short-term visits for specific purposes.
By processing these applications abroad, the policy is intended to free up USCIS resources to focus on other priorities, such as visas for victims of violent crime and human trafficking, as well as naturalization applications. Kahler stated that this change would make the immigration system fairer and more efficient.
Reactions and Criticism
Former USCIS official Doug Rand criticized the policy, arguing that it effectively excludes many from obtaining green cards, particularly given existing travel bans affecting over 100 countries. Rand highlighted that approximately half of the one million annual green card applicants typically apply from within the U.S.
World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization, condemned the policy as “cruel” and “anti-family.” Myal Greene, the organization’s president and CEO, expressed concern over the immediate impact on families, noting that the policy could separate spouses and children from their parents. Greene called for the policy’s reversal through administrative reconsideration, congressional action, or judicial intervention.
This policy change is part of a broader trend by the Trump administration to tighten legal immigration controls, sparking debates about its implications for families and the immigration system as a whole.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
