Key facts
- USCIS announced that Green Card applicants should apply from their home countries.
- Exceptions to the policy are only for extraordinary circumstances.
- The announcement followed warnings from CEOs about potential economic impacts.
On May 22, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a directive stating that applicants for permanent resident status, commonly known as Green Cards, should apply from their home countries. This policy is to be applied except in cases of extraordinary circumstances. The announcement followed a period where business leaders and CEOs had issued warnings regarding the potential economic ramifications of such a policy shift. The administration's move suggests a prioritization of domestic workforce or a desire to curb immigration, despite potential concerns raised by the corporate sector about talent acquisition and retention.