U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memo that requires most green‑card seekers to apply from their native countries, barring only "extraordinary circumstances". The change follows a 2024 record of 1.4 million cards issued, 800,000 of which were granted to residents already in the United States.

Immigration lawyers warn the policy will cut application volumes. Charles Kuck notes the shift targets spouses of U.S. citizens, who typically resolve status issues while staying in the U.S. The memo claims it closes a loophole that lets denied applicants remain illegally.

The rule threatens to leave families in limbo. An Albanian woman who earned a card in 2022 now faces uncertainty about her fiancé’s work‑visa arrival. Advocacy groups fear increased exploitation of those left without status.

Law firms and nonprofits report clients scrambling for legal counsel. The policy could delay or derail thousands of permanent‑resident cases, reshaping the U.S. immigration landscape for years to come.