Trump administration makes US Green Card rules stricter for visa holders

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has announced a major change in immigration policy that will make it harder for many foreign visa holders to apply for US permanent residency while staying in the country.

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), most people in the US on temporary visas such as students, tourists, and workers will no longer be allowed to complete the Green Card process inside the country.

Instead, applicants will generally be required to apply for immigrant visas from US embassies or consulates in their home countries. The process abroad will be handled by the US Department of State.

Under the new policy, applications made inside the US will only be approved in rare or exceptional cases and will be reviewed individually.

Officials say the move is aimed at ensuring that applicants follow proper legal immigration procedures and is part of a wider effort to strengthen immigration control.

The updated rules will also require officers to check whether a person’s activities in the US match the purpose of their original visa.

However, immigration experts have warned that the policy could lead to longer waiting times and possible family separation, as some applicants may need to leave the US while their cases are processed abroad.

The change is considered one of the biggest updates to US immigration procedures in recent years and is likely to face legal and political debate.