The Department of Homeland Security walked back its controversial announcement that immigrants would need to leave the U.S. to obtain green cards. DHS clarified that only some applicants may be required to depart the country, with decisions left to individual officers' discretion. This partial reversal follows widespread confusion over an initial policy change affecting permanent residency seekers.

Business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expressed concern about the original guidance, which threatened to disrupt employers with high-skilled foreign workers on H-1B visas. The policy change could have affected approximately 820,000 immigrants who obtained green cards through "adjustment of status" in 2024. Employers feared losing workers critical to America's technological advantage.

Immigration lawyers reported clients were already being questioned about applying from within the U.S., with fears those who overstayed visas could face 10-year bans. Interest from foreign job seekers in U.S. positions has already fallen sharply, indicating the muddled guidance is deterring talent before the policy is fully implemented.