The Lede
In a move that could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people seeking permanent residence in the US, the Trump administration has announced that green card applicants must now leave the country to apply. This sweeping change, which takes effect immediately, applies to all applicants except those in extraordinary circumstances, such as refugees or those with severe medical conditions. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for processing green card applications, the new policy aims to reduce illegal immigration by ensuring that applicants do not overstay their visas.
Background & Context
For over half a century, foreign nationals with legal status have been able to apply for and complete the entire process for permanent residence in the US, including individuals married to US citizens, holders of work and student visas, and refugees and political asylum seekers. However, the Trump administration has made several attempts to restrict legal immigration, including a 2017 executive order that suspended the admission of refugees and immigrants from several countries. The new policy is the latest in a series of changes aimed at making the green card process more difficult for foreigners already in the US and for those hoping to go there.
Deep Dive
According to USCIS, the new policy will apply to all green card applicants, including those with valid visas, such as H-1B workers, and those with expired visas. The agency has not specified which groups will be eligible for an exception, but said that refugees and those with severe medical conditions may be exempt. The policy change is likely to cause significant hardship for many applicants, including those who have been living in the US for years and have built a life here. 'This change will cause unnecessary hardship for many applicants, particularly those who have been living in the US for years and have built a life here,' said Mark Rosenbaum, director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. 'It's a cruel and heartless policy that will have devastating consequences for many families.'
Expert Angle
Immigration experts say that the new policy is unlikely to achieve its goal of reducing illegal immigration, but will instead cause confusion and chaos for many applicants. 'This policy is a solution in search of a problem,' said Doris Meissner, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. 'It's a misguided attempt to address the issue of illegal immigration, which is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive solution.' Meissner noted that the policy change will likely lead to a decrease in the number of green card applications, as many applicants will be deterred by the requirement to leave the US to apply. 'This policy will make it more difficult for people to apply for green cards, and will likely lead to a decrease in the number of applications,' she said.
What Comes Next
The Trump administration has not specified how the new policy will be implemented or what the timeline is for processing green card applications. However, immigration advocates say that they will challenge the policy in court and push for legislative action to overturn it. 'We will challenge this policy in court and push for legislative action to overturn it,' said Maria Woltjen, executive director of the Immigrant Defense Network. 'This policy is a clear attempt to undermine the immigration system and cause chaos for many families.' As the policy takes effect, immigration advocates and experts will be closely watching to see how it is implemented and what the consequences will be for applicants and the US immigration system as a whole.