Donald Trump's administration has introduced a new rule requiring green card applicants to leave the United States while their case is being considered. This decision will affect hundreds of thousands of people seeking to legally reside and work in the United States.
Basic context
Administration Trump has announced a new immigration policy under which applicants for green card must leave the US and apply from their home country. The government believes that this will help reduce the number of people who remain in the country illegally after being denied permanent residence.
Zakhar Kakhler, a spokesperson for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, explained that the rule provides for exceptions in cases of «extraordinary circumstances». At the same time, the move could tear families apart, force people to leave their jobs, and disrupt the lives of immigrants and their communities.
Reaction to the new policy
The innovation has already caused a wave of criticism from politicians and activists. Congresswoman Delia S. Ramirez called the policy «cruel» and called for the disbanding of the US Department of Homeland Security. New York State Governor Katie Hochul said the move «betrays the promise on which the country was built».
Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton stressed that the new rules will make legal immigration more difficult, which is key to attracting highly skilled professionals. Ted Liu, another California Democrat, called the policy «stupid» and could increase competition with China and Russia.
Implications for immigration and the economy
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, in fiscal year 2024, about 1.4 million people received permanent resident status. The new policy could significantly reduce this number, forcing many to look for alternatives in other countries.
Director of Immigration Studies at the Institute Kato David J. Beer called the rule «illogical» and warned of its large-scale negative impact. He believes that the innovation will drive away talented professionals and reduce the US's competitiveness in the global economy.
The context of the administration's tough immigration policy
The new policy is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to curb both illegal and legal immigration. In recent years, the authorities have made asylum applications much more difficult, suspended temporary protection for several countries, restricted refugee admissions, and strictly regulated work and student visas.
After the shooting in Washington, D.C., in which two National Guard soldiers were injured, the government reviewed all green cards of people from 19 countries as «suspects.» At the same time, the attacker, an Afghan, was granted asylum in 2025, which shows the difference between the asylum and permanent residence processes.
The new policy could be subject to legal action and increase tensions over immigration in the US.
