{"id":13588,"date":"2026-05-27T07:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T12:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=13588"},"modified":"2026-05-27T07:45:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T12:45:40","slug":"new-trump-policy-green-card-applications-must-be-filed-abroad-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/news\/new-trump-policy-green-card-applications-must-be-filed-abroad-now\/","title":{"rendered":"New Trump Policy: Green Card Applications Must Be Filed Abroad Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Trump administration<\/strong> announced Friday that temporary visa holders<\/strong> seeking green cards must now return to their home countries to complete the application process. This marks a dramatic shift from current immigration practice. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued the directive, ending the option for most people to change their status while living in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under previous rules, roughly half of all green card applicants filed from inside the country through adjustment of status<\/a>. That option is now gone for most non-immigrant visa holders<\/strong>. The agency cited enforcement concerns and resource allocation as primary reasons for the change.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Form Handover With US Flag in Background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Official Statement Confirms Policy Reversal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler released a statement Friday evening outlining the new requirements. “From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” Kahler said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“When 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 U.S. illegally after being denied residency.” \u2014 Zach Kahler, USCIS spokesperson [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The policy directly impacts people who entered the United States<\/a> on a non-immigrant visa<\/a>. These categories include students, temporary workers, and tourists. The government expects these visitors to leave when their authorized stay expires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over,” Kahler said. “Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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