Waiting for Green Card? Return to your country first: Trump admin ends ‘loophole’

The Trump administration has ended a policy that permitted certain green card applicants to remain in the United States while their applications were pending, according to a recent announcement. The change targets what officials described as a loophole that allowed applicants to extend their stay beyond the period initially authorized.

Under the previous rule, individuals who had filed for adjustment of status could remain in the country even after their visa status expired, as long as their application was pending. The new policy requires these applicants to depart the United States and wait for their green card from their home country.

The decision is expected to affect thousands of applicants, particularly those from countries with high demand for green cards, such as India and China. Critics argue that the change will cause prolonged family separations and disrupt the lives of those already in the process.

The administration stated that the move is intended to enforce immigration laws more strictly and prevent abuse of the system. The policy shift aligns with broader efforts to reduce legal immigration and prioritize merit-based entry.