Summary<\/p>\n
The Trump administration announced a new rule requiring green card applicants to leave the United States during the application process.
\n The change could force hundreds of thousands of immigrants to leave their jobs and families while applications are processed.
\n The rule marks another effort by the administration to restrict legal immigration alongside its crackdown on illegal immigration.<\/p>\n
\n AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.<\/p>\n
\n The Trump administration will now require people seeking green cards<\/a> to leave the United States during the application process \u2014 a sweeping change that could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people seeking the right to legally and permanently live and work in the US<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n In a new rule announced Friday, US immigration authorities said green card applicants would have to return to their home countries to apply for permanent visas.\n <\/p>\n \n The abrupt policy change stands to affect a large swath of the legal US immigration population<\/a>, compelling those seeking legal permanent residency to leave the country \u2014 separating families, forcing people to leave their jobs and disrupting communities in the process. Applying for a green card is a notoriously arduous process that can take several months to years to complete.\n <\/p>\n \n US Citizenship and Immigration Services said the rule provides exemptions for \u201cextraordinary circumstances,\u201d Zach Kahler, a spokesperson for the agency, said in a statement.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cWhen aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the US illegally after being denied residency,\u201d Kahler said.\n <\/p>\n \n About 1.4 million people obtained lawful permanent residence in fiscal year 2024, according to public Department of Homeland Security data<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n The new rule is likely to face legal challenges. Since being announced Friday, it has already faced a torrent of criticism from attorneys, lawmakers and immigration advocates.\n <\/p>\n \n Rep. Delia C. Ramirez, an Illinois Democrat, said on X<\/a> the policy is \u201cbeyond cruel\u201d and called for the dismantling of DHS \u201cpiece by piece.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on X<\/a> the new policy \u201cbetrays the very promise that built this country.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cTrump just made legal immigration harder \u2014 on purpose,\u201d Rep. Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat, said on X<\/a>. \u201cAmerica is able to attract the top researchers, doctors, & engineers because of our worker visa programs.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu of California called it<\/a> a \u201cstupid\u201d policy that \u201cwill help competitors such as China and Russia.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n David J. Bier, the director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, described the policy as \u201cillogical\u201d in a blog post<\/a> laying out potential far-reaching and cascading impacts of the rule.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIt will drive talented people to other countries and make America a less competitive place for business,\u201d Bier wrote.\n <\/p>\n \n While cracking down on illegal immigration has been a top priority for the Trump administration, the new rule represents just the latest example<\/a> of how the administration is also attempting to curb legal forms of immigration<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n The administration has made efforts to significantly reduce asylum claims; ended the temporary protected status for several countries, which allowed those fleeing natural disasters, wars or other dangerous conditions to live in the US without fear of being deported; halted refugee admissions except for White South Africans; and restricted work and student visas.\n <\/p>\n