Green Card New Rules 2026: DHS Walks Back Departure Requirement for Applicants

The Department of Homeland Security has walked back a controversial policy that would have required certain green card applicants to leave the United States to complete their immigration process abroad. This reversal comes as a significant relief to thousands of applicants who had been preparing for potential mandatory departure under the earlier directive. The original DHS announcement had sparked widespread concern among adjustment of status applicants, particularly those in employment-based categories like EB-3, who feared they would need to attend consular interviews in their home countries rather than completing the process domestically. The policy had raised questions about travel risks, visa revalidation, and potential bars to re-entry for applicants with complex immigration histories. For EB-3 applicants currently in the United States and eligible to file or pending an I-485 adjustment of status application, this walkback means they may continue pursuing their green cards without the added burden of international travel. Those who had already shifted strategies toward consular processing should consult with an immigration attorney to reassess their options. Applicants are encouraged to monitor official USCIS and DHS communications closely, as policy reversals of this nature can sometimes be followed by further clarifications or new guidance. The situation underscores the importance of staying current with rapidly changing immigration rules in 2026.