Amid growing uncertainty and concern surrounding the U.S. green card application process, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new clarification. According to the agency, most immigrants will not be required to leave the United States while their green card applications are being processed.
DHS stated that there has been no major policy change regarding applicants for permanent residency. As before, immigration officials will continue to review each case individually and determine whether an applicant may remain in the country while their application is being processed.
Earlier, an announcement from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) led many to believe that most applicants might have to return to their home countries and wait there for their green cards. The announcement sparked widespread concern among immigrant communities.
However, DHS has now clarified that this does not represent a broad policy shift. Instead, it is merely a reminder or explanation of the existing authority already held by immigration officers.
A DHS spokesperson said that in certain cases—such as visa overstays or other immigration-related issues—officials may make different decisions regarding individual applicants. Nevertheless, the majority of applicants will be allowed to complete their green card process while remaining in the United States.
Immigration experts note that although the new clarification provides some reassurance, many questions remain unanswered. In particular, uncertainty persists because DHS has not provided detailed guidance on the specific circumstances under which an applicant may be required to leave the country.
According to analysts, such ambiguous policy interpretations can increase anxiety among immigrants and employers and may also affect confidence in the U.S. immigration system.
Currently, the United States grants approximately 1.4 million green cards each year, with a large portion of those applications being processed from within the country.
