Trump Administration Bans In-Country Green Card Status Adjustments for Temporary Residents

The Trump administration has introduced a policy requiring individuals in the United States on temporary visas such as student, tourist, and work visas to return to their home countries before applying for permanent residency. This change marks a significant departure from previous practice, under which many applicants were able to adjust their immigration status while remaining in the U.S. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that the measure is intended to improve administrative efficiency and reduce cases of visa overstays following application denials.

However, the policy has drawn criticism from immigration analysts and advocacy groups who argue that it could severely disrupt the existing immigration system. They note that nearly half of the approximately one million annual green card applicants typically apply from within the United States. Critics further warn that requiring applicants to leave the country may create additional legal and logistical barriers, particularly for individuals from countries already subject to travel restrictions, and could significantly limit access to a stable pathway toward permanent residency.