The Trump administration has introduced a new rule that tightens access to one of the most common pathways to permanent residency in the United States, warning that many immigrants already living in the country may now have to leave and apply from abroad rather than adjust their status domestically.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services, in its announcement on May 22, said that it will grant "adjustment of status," the process that allows some immigrants already in the US to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country, but "only in extraordinary circumstances." This has left many unclear about how the administration will determine which applications may be considered to provide an economic benefit or serve the national interest.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, “This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes,” it wrote in a post on X adding that “The era of abusing our nation’s immigration system is over.”
How Trump's green card rule could affect immigrants already living in the U.S.
For immigrants caught up in the process, the challenge goes well beyond securing an appointment. Shev Dalal-Dheini, Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), said the reality could mean long periods of separation from loved ones.
"For many families, this is not simply a trip overseas to complete paperwork. It could mean months or even years apart from spouses, children, parents, employers, and communities while applications remain pending."
While the announcement has sparked concern among immigration lawyers and advocates, the administration appeared to soften its position. The Department of Homeland Security said on May 29 that there had been no major change in policy and clarified that only some immigrants seeking permanent residency would be required to return to their home countries while awaiting a decision on their green card applications.
Even so, critics argue the confusion reflects deeper concerns about how the policy would work in practice and its potential impact on workplaces, with one researcher writing on X that the change could force visa holders to leave the country at short notice, disrupting ongoing work and personal lives.
“So, my researchers who are here on a visa will have to randomly leave to apply… that will just disrupt our work and their lives for no reason. Annoying, pointless, and counterproductive,” the post read.
Since the 1940s, the United States Green Card, also known as “Permanent Resident Card,” has been one of the most secure pathways for foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the country, with over 1 million green cards issued by the US annually.
In fiscal year 2024 alone, more than half a million people received green cards while already living in the United States, according to government data, which highlights just how many applicants could be affected if adjustment of status becomes significantly harder to obtain.
Why African green card applicants could face additional challenges
Despite the global effect of this policy, the implications may be especially significant for African immigrants who could be required to leave the United States to complete their applications.
Most recently, the U.S. State Department reportedly proposed cutting the number of embassies and consulates across Africa that process visa applications from nearly 50 to about 20, including Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Accra, Ghana; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; among others, which will remain open for all processing, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
Should the proposal take effect, applicants across the continent could face longer wait times, higher travel expenses, and additional administrative hurdles. In some cases, individuals may need to travel to a neighboring country to attend interviews or complete other visa-related requirements, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already complex process.
The proposal is the latest in a series of immigration measures introduced by the Trump administration this year. In recent months, the administration has imposed travel bans or restrictions on citizens from nearly 40 countries and paused visa issuance for certain immigrant visa applicants from 75 countries.
For prospective migrants weighing opportunities around the world, the cumulative effect of these policies could ultimately influence how attractive the United States remains as a destination for work, study, and long-term settlement.
David Adubiina
