The Trump administration is tightening one of the most common pathways to a green card, warning that most immigrants already in the US will now have to leave the country and apply from abroad rather than adjust their status domestically.
However, the new rule, announced Friday, may not be evenly applied to all immigrants, according to a statement from US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler.
"While we work to operationalize this, people who present applications that provide an economic benefit or otherwise are in the national interest will likely be able to continue on their current path while others may be asked to apply abroad depending on individualized circumstances," Kahler said, framing the policy shift as a return to the "intent of Congress."
It remains unclear how the administration will determine which applications may be considered to provide an economic benefit or serve the national interest.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services, in its Friday announcement, said that it will grant "adjustment of status" — the process that allows some immigrants already in the US to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country — "only in extraordinary circumstances."
The agency said officers will instead steer applicants toward consular processing through the State Department overseas, evaluating exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
The shift marks the latest escalation in President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, which has already included mass deportation efforts, visa revocations, and heightened scrutiny of temporary visa holders.
Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups warned that the change could disrupt families, employers, and foreign workers who have long relied on adjustment of status to remain in the US while awaiting green cards.
Requiring applicants to leave the country for consular processing abroad could expose them to lengthy delays, family separation, and potential barriers to reentry, particularly for immigrants whose visas have expired while they await permanent residency decisions.
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Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert is a senior reporter on Business Insider's West Coast team. When she's not writing about trending business and tech news, from the latest supply chain snarls or advancements in AI, she covers the food and restaurant industries, specifically companies such as Starbucks and McDonald's.Some of her prior areas of focus have included coverage of the Supreme Court and emerging technologies such as quantum computing.Katherine has worked on award-nominated projects and has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC, CNN, and other outlets to discuss her reporting.Prior to joining Business Insider, she covered retail, hospitality, and nonprofits at the San Fernando Valley Business Journal and received a master's degree in investigative reporting from the University of Southern California.Reach outDo you have feedback or a story tip? Contact Katherine on Signal at byktl.50, or email her at [email protected].Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @scrawlgirl.Some of her recent scoops, exclusives, and original stories include: Starbucks set up a new office. It's a 5-minute drive from the CEO's California home.Inside Starbucks' crackdown on cup notesEndless Shrimp was Red Lobster's rock bottom. Now it's clawing back.Chipotle's new PAC signals a change in how the company engages in politicsKFC lost its footing in the Chicken Wars. Now it's gunning for a 'Kentucky Fried Comeback.'A few other highlights include: Clarence Thomas raised him 'as a son.' Now he's facing 25-plus years on weapons and drug charges.Call her Ivanka Kushner'Maybe I'll just resign:' Federal workers react to DOGE productivity emailSpaceX launches cause late-night booms that rattle windows, set off car alarms, and may damage property. Locals are pushing back.The US-China tech race is moving from chips to the raw materials they're made of
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