The Trump administration has introduced stricter rules for people applying for green cards from inside the United States.
Immigration lawyers say the new system could slow down approvals and create fear among many immigrants trying to get legal residency.
Under the latest guidance issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), officers have already started asking applicants new and tougher questions during interviews.
The changes have created concern among immigrants, lawyers, and even major companies that depend on foreign workers.
Green Card Applicants Facing Tougher Interviews
According to immigration lawyers, many applicants recently faced unusual questioning during their green card interviews.
One applicant, who had married a US citizen, was asked why they chose to apply for a green card from inside the US instead of returning to their home country and applying through a US embassy.
Officials also reportedly asked whether the person still had family in their home country and if there was any reason they could not return there.
In another case, an applicant was asked to provide documents proving they would not become a financial burden on the United States.
Applicants Asked for More Documents
Lawyers say USCIS officers are now demanding extra paperwork from many applicants.
Some of the documents reportedly requested include:
2025 tax returns
Salary details from employers
Bank statements
Proof of English language ability
Education records
Employment history
Military service records
Proof of family ties in the US
Immigration experts say many of these documents were not usually required unless there was a serious issue in the case.
Family-Based Applicants May Face the Biggest Impact
Lawyers believe family-based green card applicants could face the toughest scrutiny under the new policy.
For years, many people entered the US legally on tourist visas and later married US citizens.
In many cases, they were allowed to apply for green cards from inside the country even after overstaying their visas.
Now, the process may become much stricter.
Experts warn that some applicants who leave the US to apply from abroad could even face re-entry bans of up to 10 years.
However, asylum seekers and refugees are expected to continue under separate immigration rules and may not be directly affected by these changes.
Companies Worried About the New Rules
The policy has also raised concerns among large businesses and technology companies.
Companies like Amazon, Meta, Apple, and others rely heavily on foreign workers, many of whom later apply for green cards while working in the US on H-1B visas.
Business leaders fear stricter rules could force employees to leave the country for long periods, affecting company projects and operations.
The US Chamber of Commerce said the changes could become highly disruptive for employers and the legal immigration system.
Trump Administration Defends the Policy
The Department of Homeland Security says the new guidance is simply restoring older immigration rules that were not properly enforced during the Biden administration.
Officials say the goal is to support immigration that benefits the US economically and socially while preventing misuse of temporary tourist visas as a shortcut to permanent residency.
At the same time, the administration said people who can prove they provide economic value or serve the “national interest” may still be allowed to adjust their status from inside the United States.
Supporters of the policy argue that tourist visas were never meant to become an easy path to getting green cards.
