The procedure and rules for obtaining a green card in the USA have been fundamentally changed
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has fundamentally changed the procedure for foreign citizens residing in the country on temporary visas to obtain permanent residency, namely a green card. Zamin.uz reported on this.
According to the newly introduced rules, most applicants will now have to complete the document processing procedure in their home country rather than within the territory of the USA. This change is being implemented to regulate the immigration system and strengthen security measures.
According to official information, the possibility of applying to change legal status while remaining in the USA will be preserved only in certain exceptional cases. In all other situations, foreigners on temporary visas must return to their home country and go through the necessary stages via US consular offices abroad.
These requirements apply equally not only to tourists and students but also to individuals engaged in temporary employment. Representatives of the Citizenship and Immigration Services specifically emphasize that staying in the country on a non-immigrant visa should not automatically turn into a stage for acquiring permanent residency.
According to agency representative Zach Kohler, the new system serves to prevent cases where individuals remain illegally in the country after receiving a rejection for a green card. Now, except for emergency situations, it is mandatory for applicants to return to their homeland in all cases.
Furthermore, these changes are expected to significantly reduce the workload within the immigration system. This will allow the responsible agencies to review citizenship applications faster and focus more attention on visa issues for victims of violence and human trafficking.
However, the new policy is causing various debates among migrants and legal experts. Specialists express concern that the process will become considerably more complex and time-consuming, even for those living in the country on a legal basis.
