US green card applicants living temporarily in America must apply from their home countries under a new USCIS policy, which is being criticised by aid groups.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has said that many foreign nationals living temporarily in the United States must return to their home countries to apply for green cards.
The agency announced the change in a policy memo on Friday. It directed officers to review relevant factors on a case-by-case basis when deciding whether extraordinary relief applies.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS, said temporary immigrants seeking permanent residency must apply through the State Department from outside the United States.
“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes,” DHS said.
USCIS said the move would free agency resources and help officers focus on other immigration cases.
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However, HIAS, an aid group that works with refugees and other immigrants, criticised the policy. It said the rule could force trafficking survivors and abused or neglected children to return to dangerous countries they had fled.
The policy adds to a wider immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration. Over the past year, the administration has moved to tighten migration rules and shorten visa periods for students, cultural exchange visitors and media workers.
In January, the State Department said it had revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump returned to office.
