Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 23: A new immigration policy introduced by the Trump administration has sparked widespread concern after it indicated that many immigrants legally residing in the United States may now be required to leave the country and apply for permanent residency from abroad.

The policy, outlined in a memo issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, reiterates that “adjustment of status”—the process that allows eligible immigrants to obtain a Green Card without leaving the US—is a discretionary form of relief rather than a guaranteed pathway.

Under the revised interpretation, USCIS officials are instructed to evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis and determine whether applicants merit what the agency described as an “extraordinary form of relief.”

A spokesperson for USCIS, Zach Kahler, said the move is intended to restore the “original intent” of immigration law and ensure that applicants follow standard visa procedures through US consulates abroad whenever possible.

He added that individuals in the US on temporary visas who seek permanent residency would generally be expected to return to their home countries to complete the process, except in exceptional circumstances.

The policy could significantly affect students, skilled workers, researchers, tourists and H-1B visa holders, many of whom currently transition to permanent residency while remaining in the United States under long-standing procedures.

Critics have sharply condemned the change, arguing that it undermines decades of established immigration practice. Immigration advocacy organisation FWD.us called the policy “deeply harmful” and warned it could create major disruption for immigrants who have lived and worked legally in the country for years.

FWD.us president Todd Schulte said the measure would impose significant financial and logistical burdens and accused the administration of destabilising the legal immigration system.

He noted that most Green Card approvals in the United States currently occur through in-country status adjustments, a practice that has existed for decades under US immigration law.

US lawmaker Grace Meng, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, also criticised the policy, saying it could lead to prolonged family separations and disproportionately affect immigrants from countries facing visa restrictions.

Local officials have echoed these concerns. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich warned that the policy could create uncertainty among immigrant communities and negatively impact sectors reliant on skilled foreign workers, including healthcare, education, and technology.

Immigration experts note that Indian professionals, who make up a large share of skilled visa holders in the US, could be particularly affected due to existing Green Card backlogs and country-based caps. Analysts warn that requiring applicants to process residency from abroad may disrupt employment, family stability and long-term settlement plans for thousands of immigrants already living in the country.