United States, Washington: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said many foreigners seeking green cards while in the United States must apply from abroad through the State Department, drawing criticism from aid groups.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS, said temporary residents who want a green card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances. The agency said the policy would reduce reliance on what it described as loopholes.
USCIS announced the shift in a policy memo directing officers to consider relevant facts on a case-by-case basis when deciding whether extraordinary relief is warranted. The agency said the change would free resources for other immigration cases.
The Associated Press reported that the change affects people with legal status, including students, workers, refugees, asylum seekers and spouses of U.S. citizens. Immigration lawyers said the policy could create long delays and family separations.
Read: US Green Card Applicants Told To Apply From Home Countries
HIAS, a refugee aid group, said the policy could force trafficking survivors and abused or neglected children to return to countries they fled while their green card cases move through consular processing.
The move adds to the immigration restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump of the United States. The administration previously shortened visa durations for students, cultural exchange visitors and media workers, while the State Department said it had revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump returned to office.
