The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on May 24, 2026, that individuals seeking to adjust their immigration status to obtain a green card must now apply from their home countries. This change, communicated through a policy memo by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), requires applicants to process their applications through the State Department. Previously, the process had allowed applicants to adjust their status while remaining in the US. The new policy is expected to impact many green card applicants, particularly mixed-status families, as they may need to leave their jobs and homes during the application process. The USCIS stated that this policy aims to ensure the immigration system functions according to the law and does not incentivize loopholes. The implications for currently pending green card cases remain unclear. Advocacy groups have criticized the change, arguing it could endanger vulnerable individuals, such as survivors of trafficking and abused children, by forcing them to return to potentially dangerous situations.
Why this rating? · 7 signals
Signals flagged in the original
- loaded language: 'criticized by advocates'
- loaded language: 'forcing survivors'
- loaded language: 'attacked other immigrants'
- framing: Change criticized by advocates marks the latest significant move by the Trump administration on immigration policy
- framing: latest in a series of steps taken by Donald Trump over the last year to tighten immigration
- editorializing: particularly affecting mixed-status families nationwide by forcing green card applicants to leave jobs, homes and relationships for an unknown amount of time
- vague attribution: aid groups, policy analysts and immigration attorneys, an analyst with the Cato Institute
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US Green Card Applicants Required to Apply from Home Countries, DHS Announces
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced that green card applicants must now apply from their home countries, a significant policy change that affects many individuals seeking to adjust their immigration status. This decision has drawn criticism from advocacy groups who argue it could put vulnerable populations at risk.
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Bias Analysis
Bias Indicators Removed
- ✕ loaded language: 'criticized by advocates'
- ✕ loaded language: 'forcing survivors'
- ✕ loaded language: 'attacked other immigrants'
- ✕ framing: Change criticized by advocates marks the latest significant move by the Trump administration on immigration policy
- ✕ framing: latest in a series of steps taken by Donald Trump over the last year to tighten immigration
- ✕ editorializing: particularly affecting mixed-status families nationwide by forcing green card applicants to leave jobs, homes and relationships for an unknown amount of time
- ✕ vague attribution: aid groups, policy analysts and immigration attorneys, an analyst with the Cato Institute
Original vs. Neutral
US green card applicants will now have to return to home countries to apply, DHS says
US Green Card Applicants Required to Apply from Home Countries, DHS Announces