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The US administration has relaxed a decision announced on May 22, according to which applicants for permanent residence ("Green Card") had to leave the United States and complete the procedures from their country of origin.
According to the New York Times, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the new policy will not apply to all applicants, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
US authorities clarified that the guidance was simply a reminder for immigration officials to use their discretionary power to decide whether or not an applicant should leave the US during the application process.
Just a few days ago, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that people temporarily in the US who wish to obtain a "Green Card" must return to their country to submit the application, except in special cases.
According to USCIS, temporary visa holders, such as students, seasonal workers, or tourists, enter the US for a specific period and purpose, so their stay should not automatically serve as a step towards permanent residency.
The decision sparked strong reactions from immigrant rights groups and immigration law firms. Critics argued that the move would create uncertainty and hardship for thousands of immigrants who are legally in the US.
Democratic Congressman Chuy Garcia called the policy "absurd and cruel," warning that it would force thousands of legal immigrants, including spouses of US citizens, to leave their families, jobs and homes for weeks or months during the application process.
According to the Washington Post, the United States issues more than a million "Green Cards" each year, while over half of the applicants are already within American territory when they submit the application.
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