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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The Trump administration has walked back its announcement that non-citizens seeking Green Cards must return to their home countries to apply.
- The Department of Homeland Security now states the policy will be implemented on a case-by-case basis.
- This clarification follows significant concern among immigrants about the previous policy shift.
The Trump administration has clarified its policy regarding non-citizens applying for permanent U.S. residency, commonly known as a Green Card. Previously announced, the requirement for applicants to return to their home countries to apply has been walked back, according to The New York Times.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informed the newspaper that the policy will now be applied on a case-by-case basis, not as a blanket requirement for all applicants. This statement follows an earlier announcement by a Trump administration spokesman, Zach Kahler, on May 22, which stated that aliens seeking a Green Card must return home to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.
from now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.
The initial announcement had sparked considerable concern among the millions of immigrants aiming for permanent U.S. residency. The Trump administration's approach to immigration has seen various shifts since he took office, including efforts to expel undocumented migrants and closing legal pathways to residency. The U.S. grants over one million Green Cards annually, with more than half of applicants previously being within the United States. A U.S. official stated the revised policy reiterates longstanding law that they claim was disregarded by the Biden administration.
restates longstanding law and policy -- which was disregarded by the Biden Administration.
Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.