If you are legally inside the USA, without the right to reside permanently here, adjusting your status may be an option you’ve considered. Moving from the visa you are on to become a lawful permanent resident (often referred to as getting a green card) is an option for many people.
A recent memorandum from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), issued on May 21, suggests this could now become a much more difficult process.
You have to leave the country to apply
Previously, qualifying applicants who were legally here could apply for a green card from within the U.S. The memo says that this will now only be possible in “extraordinary circumstances,” without defining exactly what those extraordinary circumstances may be. This indicates that most people will have to leave the country to submit their application through a U.S. consulate overseas.
Exiting the U.S. and living somewhere until you are approved to return is inconvenient and costly in several ways. Going abroad is financially expensive. It will also disrupt the life you may have been building here – you might be separated from family, be unable to continue in your job, give up your apartment and more.
The new process is also likely to be stressful. You may fear that, even if you are approved for a green card, the authorities may find a reason to deny you entry when you try to return.
You are right to be worried, but it is also important to realize that it is still too early to determine how this will play out in reality. Seeking experienced legal guidance is more crucial than ever during this time of uncertainty.