Not all immigrants may have to leave US for Green Cards, says USCIS after policy backlash

A day after the Trump administration unveiled a controversial immigration policy that could require legal immigrants to leave the United States and apply for Green Cards from abroad, USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler clarified that not all applicants would be affected.

According to a report by Newsweek, Kahler said immigrants who provide economic benefit or serve the national interest may still be allowed to remain in the US during the Green Card process.

He added that people who present applications that provide an economic benefit or otherwise are in the national interest will likely be able to continue on their current path, adding that others may be asked to apply abroad depending on individual circumstances.

The clarification follows widespread criticism over the new USCIS policy memo, which said many immigrants applying for Green Cards may have to leave the US and complete the process from their home countries instead of staying in America during processing.

The move had triggered concern among H-1B workers, students, researchers and Indian-origin professionals, many of whom rely on adjustment of status due to long Green Card backlogs and country-specific visa caps.