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Trump Administration Alters Green Card Application Process, Requiring Applicants to Return Home

Trump Administration Alters Green Card Application Process, Requiring Applicants to Return Home

The Trump administration has introduced new guidance requiring most green card applicants to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency. This change, announced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), disrupts a long-standing practice that allowed immigrants to apply from within the United States. Immigration officers have begun questioning applicants on why they did not leave the U.S. to apply, a move that immigration lawyers believe will complicate the process and deter legal status seekers. The policy has sparked concerns about potential family separations and has been criticized by tech leaders for its potential impact on business. The USCIS has stated that applicants demonstrating economic benefit or national interest may still apply from within the U.S., but details remain sparse.

USCIS Policy Change on Green Card Applications Creates Confusion Among Immigrants

USCIS Policy Change on Green Card Applications Creates Confusion Among Immigrants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a policy change regarding the process for obtaining green cards, which has led to confusion among immigrants. The new policy, announced on May 22, 2026, states that adjustment of status to permanent residency will only be granted in 'extraordinary circumstances.' This means that individuals currently in the United States seeking a green card must return to their home countries to apply through consular offices, rather than adjusting their status while remaining in the U.S. This change has raised concerns among immigration law experts about who will be required to leave the U.S., especially those from countries with travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. The policy aims to ensure that immigrants navigate the system properly, but it has left many uncertain about their eligibility and the process they must follow.

Equatorial Guinea Hotel Used as Detention Center for U.S. Deported Asylum Seekers

Equatorial Guinea Hotel Used as Detention Center for U.S. Deported Asylum Seekers

In Equatorial Guinea, a hotel has been repurposed as a detention center for asylum seekers deported from the United States. Under a $7.5 million agreement with the Trump administration, the Bamy Hotel, owned by the family of Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is being used to hold these individuals. Since November, at least 32 people have been detained there, with 25 already sent back to their home countries across Africa, where they face potential danger. The remaining detainees are under pressure to leave. The Trump administration's use of deportations to third countries is seen as a legal loophole to indirectly force asylum seekers back to their home countries. The situation is compounded by the authoritarian nature of Equatorial Guinea's government, making it difficult for foreign journalists to report on conditions.

Airlines and Hotels Warn Against Trump Administration's Threat to International Flights

Airlines and Hotels Warn Against Trump Administration's Threat to International Flights

The Trump administration is considering halting customs and immigration processing at airports in 'sanctuary cities,' a move that has drawn criticism from major airlines and hotel chains. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested that if cities do not comply with federal immigration laws, international flights should not be processed there. This proposal comes ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring millions of visitors to the U.S. The travel industry warns that reducing Customs and Border Protection staffing at major airports would severely disrupt operations, affecting airlines, travelers, and international cargo flow. The administration's stance is seen as an attempt to pressure cities with lenient immigration policies.

Exclusive: Inside an African hotel where asylum seekers deported by the US are imprisoned

Exclusive: Inside an African hotel where asylum seekers deported by the US are imprisoned

Under an opaque $7.5 million deal with the Trump administration, Equatorial Guinea’s all-powerful president has turned a hotel owned by his family into a prison for asylum seekers deported from the United States

Trump’s latest immigration move clouds the path to green cards

Trump’s latest immigration move clouds the path to green cards

President Donald Trump's administration has announced a new policy requiring green card seekers to apply from their home countries instead of in the U.S. This change has left many immigrants and attorneys confused and concerned

USCIS Policy Change May Require Legal Residents to Apply for Green Cards Abroad

USCIS Policy Change May Require Legal Residents to Apply for Green Cards Abroad

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new policy memo that could significantly alter the process for legal residents seeking to adjust their immigration status to permanent residency. The memo mandates that individuals must apply for this adjustment outside the United States unless they qualify for 'extraordinary circumstances.' This change is part of the Trump administration's broader immigration strategy and aims to adhere more closely to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), specifically section 245. This section governs the transition from temporary to permanent residency. The USCIS argues that the adjustment of status process has been overly broadened and should not replace the standard consular visa process. The policy is effective immediately, although it is a guidance document rather than a law.

Trump Administration's New Policy Alters Green Card Application Process

Trump Administration's New Policy Alters Green Card Application Process

The Trump administration has announced a new policy requiring green card applicants to apply from their home countries rather than from within the U.S., except in 'extraordinary circumstances.' This policy shift has caused confusion and concern among immigrants and their attorneys, as it represents a significant change from the longstanding practice of allowing applicants to adjust their status while in the U.S. The announcement has led to a surge of inquiries from worried clients, as the policy could affect hundreds of thousands of applicants annually. The administration's move is seen as part of a broader effort to tighten legal immigration pathways.

Processing Delays Leave DACA Recipients Jobless and Fearing Deportation

Processing Delays Leave DACA Recipients Jobless and Fearing Deportation

Recent processing delays at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are causing significant issues for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Many DACA recipients, who rely on work permits and legal protection under the program, are facing job losses and the threat of deportation as their permits expire. The delays have extended the median processing time for DACA renewals from under two months to approximately 3.5 months. This has left individuals like Maria Fernanda Madrigal, an immigration attorney, and other professionals in precarious situations, as they are unable to work legally without valid permits. The Trump administration's policies have been criticized for undermining DACA's protections, with recent actions including urging recipients to self-deport and making them ineligible for health insurance through Obamacare. Lawmakers and advocates are calling for expedited processing to prevent further hardships.

USCIS Green Card Memo Causes Panic Among Immigration Lawyers and Clients

USCIS Green Card Memo Causes Panic Among Immigration Lawyers and Clients

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a memo indicating that the adjustment of status process for green card applicants will now be limited to 'extraordinary circumstances.' This announcement, made just before a holiday weekend, has caused widespread concern among immigration lawyers and their clients. The memo suggests that many immigrants may need to leave the U.S. to continue their green card applications abroad, except for those whose applications provide an economic benefit or are in the national interest. Immigration lawyers across the U.S. have reported a surge in inquiries from anxious clients, including tech workers, startup founders, and other foreign nationals, seeking clarity on how this change affects their long-term plans.

Trump Administration Plans to Halt Immigration Processing at Sanctuary City Airports, Sparking Economic Concerns

Trump Administration Plans to Halt Immigration Processing at Sanctuary City Airports, Sparking Economic Concerns

The Trump administration is considering plans to stop immigration and customs processing at airports located in cities run by the Democratic Party, known as 'sanctuary cities.' This move is part of a broader effort to enforce stricter immigration policies. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that plans are being drawn up, although no final decision has been made. The proposed action targets cities that have not cooperated with federal immigration enforcement, potentially halting international passenger and cargo arrivals at major airports in these areas. This development comes as millions of foreign tourists are expected to visit the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup. The administration's stance has faced opposition from within, including Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, who argued against restricting travel based on political views.

Trump Administration's Use of the Bible in Justifying Policies Raises Concerns

Trump Administration's Use of the Bible in Justifying Policies Raises Concerns

The Trump administration has been using biblical references to justify its policies, including military invasions and immigration raids. A video released by the Department of Homeland Security featured biblical quotes alongside images of military-style enforcement actions. This approach has sparked debate about the role of religion in politics. A Pew Research study found that a majority of Americans believe the Bible should influence U.S. laws. Critics argue that using scripture to justify government actions undermines core ethical teachings and raises concerns about the separation of church and state.