US Introduces New Policy Requiring Temporary Visa Holders to Return Home for Green Card Applications

The Trump administration has announced a new immigration policy stating that foreign nationals staying in the United States on temporary visas must return to their home countries if they wish to apply for permanent residency (Green Card).

The Department of Homeland Security said that applying for a Green Card from within the US is not an automatic right but a discretionary benefit, meaning applications will now be reviewed more strictly under established legal procedures.

Under the new guidance, immigration officers will consider factors such as visa violations, overstays, and unauthorized employment when evaluating applications. While limited exceptions exist for certain visa categories, the general rule requires applicants to leave the US and apply from abroad.

Immigrant advocacy groups have criticized the move, warning that it could force vulnerable individuals, including trafficking survivors and abused migrants, to return to unsafe conditions while their cases are processed.

The policy is part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten immigration rules and reinforce compliance with existing legal pathways for permanent residency.