New rule requires most green-card applicants to apply from outside U.S.

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The Trump administration announced that most green-card applicants must now apply from outside the United States, reversing long-standing practice
• The change could affect hundreds of thousands of temporary visa holders seeking permanent residency

🔭 The context: Previously, nonimmigrants such as students, temporary workers, and tourists could apply for adjustment of status from within the U.S.
• The new USCIS policy allows exceptions only for certain dual-intent visas, immigrant visas, or applicants providing “economic benefit” or otherwise in the national interest
• Immigration lawyers anticipate legal challenges and implementation complexities

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Legal migration policies indirectly shape workforce distribution and global talent flows, including in sectors like research, energy transition, and climate innovation
• Restricting in-country applications may slow the integration of foreign experts contributing to sustainability, technology, and environmental problem-solving efforts

⏭️ What’s next: Affected visa holders may face delays or be forced to leave the U.S. to apply from abroad, potentially triggering litigation
• Implementation details remain unclear, especially for nationals of countries without U.S. consular presence
• Courts may be asked to review the legality of the policy

💬 One quote: “This isn’t a bureaucratic tweak — it’s a trap. The administration is telling Iranians who have built their lives here legally: Leave, and once you do, you’re not coming back.” — Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council

📈 One stat: The U.S. issues over 1 million green cards annually, with more than half of applicants currently living in the country on temporary visas

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