After a week of widespread concern over a USCIS policy memo that appeared to require green‑card applicants to leave the United States to complete their cases, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a clarification. DHS now states that most immigrants pursuing lawful permanent residence will not be required to depart the U.S. to finalize their green‑card process.
Key points from the DHS clarification
- The new guidance applies to “qualified applicants,” meaning those who meet the existing eligibility criteria for adjustment of status.
- DHS expects the impact on these applicants to be minimal; the departure requirement that had been feared is being rolled back.
- No additional procedural steps or travel restrictions are being imposed beyond the standard requirements for green‑card processing.
The agency’s statement aims to alleviate the uncertainty created by the earlier memo and to reassure applicants that their ability to adjust status while remaining in the United States remains largely unchanged.
Source article: www.murthy.com
