US Softens Green Card Policy

Darwin, 01 June: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a major clarification regarding the green card application process, stating that not all applicants will be required to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency.

A spokesperson for DHS said that temporary visa holders in the United States may still be allowed to apply for a green card from within the country, easing concerns sparked by an earlier notice issued on May 22 by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The May 22 guidance had initially suggested that temporary visa holders would be unable to apply for permanent residency while remaining in the United States and instead would need to return to their home countries to complete the process through U.S. embassies.

However, in an interview with The New York Times on Saturday, a DHS spokesperson clarified that the notice was intended only to remind immigration officers of their discretionary authority and was not a mandatory rule for all applicants.

According to DHS, stricter measures may apply to individuals whose visas have expired or to nationals of countries where applicants are heavily dependent on government assistance. Officials emphasized that the policy will not be enforced uniformly for everyone.

A green card grants foreign nationals the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States. While it does not provide citizenship directly, it is considered a major step toward becoming a U.S. citizen.

Since returning to office for a second term in 2025, has pursued a tougher immigration agenda. Over the past year and a half, millions of undocumented immigrants and visa overstayers have reportedly faced deportation efforts.

The initial May 22 notice was widely viewed as another hardline immigration move by the Trump administration. However, The New York Times has since described the clarification as a policy “U-turn.”

Democratic lawmakers and immigration attorneys had sharply criticized the earlier guidance, warning that it could separate families, increase costs, and create disruption across the immigration system.

USCIS officers have now reportedly begun questioning applicants about why they prefer to apply from within the United States and whether returning to their home countries would create significant hardship.

Leaders in the technology sector have also expressed concern, arguing that stricter residency rules could hurt American tech companies that rely heavily on skilled foreign workers who often seek permanent residency and eventual citizenship.

Immigration lawyers say final decisions will continue to depend on individual immigration officers, advising applicants to remain cautious but avoid unnecessary panic as the policy evolves.