U-Turn on Green Card Rules: Most Applicants Will Not Be Required to Leave the United States

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has clarified that most immigrants applying for permanent residency will not be required to leave the United States while their Green Card applications are being processed.

According to international media reports, a recent announcement by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had created confusion, suggesting that applicants might generally need to return to their home countries to await processing decisions. This led to concern among immigrant communities and legal experts.

However, the United States Department of Homeland Security stated that this is not a new policy. Instead, it is a reminder of existing discretionary powers available to immigration officers, who assess each case individually.

Officials from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services explained that certain factors—such as visa overstay or other immigration violations—may influence individual outcomes. However, most applicants will continue to be allowed to remain in the U.S. while their applications are under review.

Authorities further emphasized that there have been no major changes to the current process for the vast majority of individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States.