USCIS Memorandum May 2026: Is the Green Card Rule Change Linked to World Cup Visa Overstay Fears?

A new USCIS memorandum issued in May 2026 has drawn significant attention from immigration attorneys, who are now speculating that the policy shift may be partly driven by the upcoming FIFA World Cup. With millions of temporary visitors expected to enter the United States, attorneys believe the government is taking proactive steps to reinforce that nonimmigrant visa holders must honor the terms of their authorized stay and return home as required. The memo appears to signal a major change in how green card applications are processed, with reports indicating that Adjustment of Status — the process that allows eligible immigrants to obtain a green card without leaving the United States — may no longer be available in the same way. Instead, applicants may be required to depart the U.S. and complete consular processing in their home country, a significantly more burdensome and uncertain path. For EB-3 applicants, this shift carries substantial implications. Many employment-based immigrants who have been living and working in the U.S. on valid nonimmigrant visas have relied on Adjustment of Status as a stable, predictable route to permanent residence. Being required to leave the country and attend a consular interview abroad introduces new risks, including the possibility of prolonged separation from employers and family. Immigration attorneys are advising clients to closely monitor any official USCIS guidance and consult with legal counsel before taking action. While the World Cup theory remains speculative, the underlying policy direction — tightening enforcement of nonimmigrant visa terms — aligns with broader enforcement priorities observed throughout 2026. EB-3 applicants currently in the pipeline or planning to file should review their eligibility under both Adjustment of Status and consular processing, and prepare contingency plans in case the policy is formalized or expanded in the coming months.