Brief

The U.S. government has announced a significant shift in its long-standing immigration policy, requiring foreign nationals already in the U.S. who wish to apply for a green card to now submit their applications from their home countries. This policy change, which has raised humanitarian concerns, reverses a decades-old practice that allowed individuals with legal status, including spouses of U.S. citizens and those on work or student visas, to complete the entire green card process within the United States. The announcement comes as U.S. consumer confidence has hit a historic low, largely due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz impacting gasoline prices. AI

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new policy memo that could significantly restrict the ability of individuals to obtain green cards within the United States. This memo suggests that applying for adjustment of status, a common pathway to permanent residency, will be treated as a discretionary act rather than a standard procedure. Immigration attorneys are questioning the memo's legality and anticipate legal challenges, as it may lead to longer processing times and potentially reduce overall legal immigration. AI