The government of Donald Trump announced a radical change in the immigration policy of the United States by establishing that foreigners applying for permanent residency must leave the country while their cases are processed. The measure, officially presented by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), represents one of the most significant tightening of the immigration system in recent years and reinforces the Republican government's stance in favor of stricter controls and a more rigid enforcement of immigration laws.
The new provision will even affect individuals who are currently legally in the United States under temporary study, tourism, or work visas. From now on, those wishing to obtain a ''green card'' must return to their countries of origin and complete the process through the consular system managed by the Department of State. According to USCIS, status adjustments within U.S. territory will only be authorized in extraordinary circumstances and after individual evaluations.
The Trump administration maintains that the measure seeks to restore the ''true spirit'' of U.S. immigration laws and curb abuses of the system. Authorities argue that temporary visas were created for limited stays and specific purposes, not as an indirect mechanism to subsequently access permanent residency.
The Trump administration tightened immigration policy, and those applying for permanent residency will have to wait for the process in their countries of origin.
USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler explained that for years the system allowed many foreigners to enter the country temporarily and then remain indefinitely while processing immigration applications. According to the official, this ended up incentivizing legal loopholes and made immigration control more difficult.
''We are returning to the original intent of the law to ensure that foreigners navigate our immigration system correctly,'' Kahler stated. ''From now on, anyone wanting a green card must return to their country and apply from there, except in exceptional circumstances.''
The Republican administration also argues that processing applications from abroad will reduce the number of people who remain illegally in the United States after their temporary permits expire or after their applications are denied. USCIS officials believe that the policy will strengthen control over illegal immigrants and decrease pressure on immigration agencies.
Zach Kahler, spokesperson for the U.S. Immigration Service, stated that many entered the country temporarily and took advantage of immigration applications to stay indefinitely.
The government also argues that the measure will redistribute administrative resources and expedite other priority processes, such as citizenship applications, humanitarian visas, and cases related to victims of violent crimes or human trafficking. For Trump's allies, the decision represents a necessary step to restore order in an immigration system they consider overwhelmed for years.
The tightening of immigration occurs amid a political climate marked by concerns about the southern border and the increase in irregular immigration. Illegal immigration has once again become one of the main topics of debate in the United States and a central axis of Donald Trump's agenda to consolidate his border security policy.
Conservative sectors quickly backed the announcement and argue that the previous policy favored abusive practices and harmed those who respect legal procedures from abroad. They also believe that allowing status adjustments within the country created incentives for people to enter with temporary visas intending to remain permanently.
So far, authorities have not clarified whether the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin to automatically deport residency applicants who remain in U.S. territory while awaiting responses to their cases.
The strengthening of the immigration system has become a priority for the Trump administration.
