The new Green Card rule announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has triggered significant confusion and anxiety among Green Card applicants. Under the revised regulation, individuals may no longer be permitted to remain in the United States while awaiting their permanent residence approval. Instead, they must return to their home country and submit their application through a US consulate there.
Rationale Behind the Rule Change
The USCIS explained that previously, individuals who entered the US temporarily were allowed to adjust their status within the country. However, this practice contradicted their original intent: they arrived on a temporary basis but sought to become permanent residents. The agency now requires applicants to follow the proper process from their home country, aligning their intentions with the application procedure.
Impact and Expert Analysis
Experts note that this is not a change in the law itself, but a minor tweak in implementation that could have substantial consequences. Unlike previous immigration bans under the Trump administration, which targeted specific countries through travel or visa restrictions, this rule potentially affects applicants from all nations. However, countries with the highest number of Green Card recipients will feel the greatest impact.
Top 10 Countries Receiving Green Cards in 2023
According to the Department of Homeland Security's 2023 records, the following countries received the most Green Cards:
- Mexico: 180,530
- Cuba: 81,600
- India: 78,070
- Dominican Republic: 68,870
- China: 59,260
- Philippines: 49,200
- Vietnam: 36,000
- Afghanistan: 30,300
- Brazil: 28,880
- El Salvador: 26,210
Breakdown by Green Card Category
India leads in employment-based Green Cards, while Mexico remains the largest overall source of family-based Green Cards. Cuba and Afghanistan saw sharp increases due to humanitarian and asylum-related pathways. Mexico, India, the Philippines, and China all face extensive backlogs, with applicants waiting decades for approval. The new rule, if implemented, will be applied on a case-by-case basis, according to experts.
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