Impact of New Green Card Policy on Immigrants in the U.S.

Recent data reveal a significant number of new green cards are issued to immigrants residing in the United States. This trend may change due to a recent policy under the Trump administration. The Pew Research Center analyzed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data on green card grants. The data show that granting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) more authority could impact many residents.

In fiscal year 2024, around 1.36 million green cards were issued, with 58% going to immigrants already in the U.S. Many of these recipients are relatives of American citizens or are here on work visas. The USCIS memo from May 22 highlights how adjustment of status (AOS) has been at their discretion. Changes directing applicants to consular processing in their home countries might alter many cases, according to Sahana Mukherjee, Pew’s associate director of race and ethnicity research.

Confusion Surrounding Green Card Adjustments

Though DHS initially reported a sweeping policy change, which was partially retracted, confusion persists. Attorneys and applicants are unclear about who must exit the U.S. to obtain permanent residency. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) criticized the piecemeal information-sharing approach.

Different approaches by USCIS officers add to the uncertainty. Some applicants face questions about why they have not returned home, while others experience no change. As Elissa Taub from Siskind and Susser law firm points out, the process can vary greatly depending on the type of application and officer assignment.

Green Card Issuance: A Look at the Numbers

The most recent DHS data, covering October 2023 to September 2024, shows USCIS issued 1,356,760 green cards. Of these, 782,770 were through AOS, allowing immigrants already in the U.S. to convert to permanent residency. Asylum-seekers and refugees mostly receive green cards while in the U.S., while family-sponsored and diversity applicants tend to do so from their home countries.

The policy shift has led to confusion, especially for those linked to work visas, like the H-1B. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, such as spouses and children, also face changes. Cubans, Mexicans, Venezuelans, Chinese, and Brazilians are among the largest groups applying through AOS.

Concerns About Policy Implications

Many worry about how long immigrants will wait in their home countries if more consulate-based approvals occur. The Trump administration asserts it enforces existing laws requiring applicants to apply from their home country, although this disrupts lives of those already settled here.

Since 2000, more than half of applicants annually have used AOS. In FY 2024, this method accounted for 58% of green cards. Pew and others suggest that USCIS’s policy may limit AOS usage.

A DHS spokesperson clarified that the policy won’t block qualified immigrants from green cards. Adriel Orozco from the American Immigration Council criticized the fear this creates around obtaining permanent residency, urging for formal guidance to reduce uncertainty.