{"id":3164,"date":"2026-06-01T08:45:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T08:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usa-immigration.lawyer\/en\/?p=3164"},"modified":"2026-06-16T08:01:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T08:01:49","slug":"green-card-policy-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usa-immigration.lawyer\/en\/green-card-policy-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Cards in the United States – Adjustment of Status Restricted Under New USCIS Policy (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Adjustment of Status Restricted<\/strong> <\/span><\/h2>\n

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change to the Adjustment of Status process. In this article, attorney Michael Decker Pex of Decker, Pex, Levi Law Offices<\/a> explains\u00a0 that applicants inside the United States will generally no longer be able to apply for a green card from within the country unless they demonstrate \u201cextraordinary circumstances.\u201d Instead, most applicants will be required to complete consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

The United States remains one of the most popular destinations for Israelis seeking employment, education, or family reunification opportunities. According to data published by Israel\u2019s Central Bureau of Statistics, tens of thousands of Israelis reside in the United States, making family-based immigration procedures particularly relevant for Israeli families with connections to both countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

This change may affect spouses, children, parents, and other relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently living in the United States on temporary visas. Individuals should carefully assess how this policy may impact their situation, as the procedural shift is expected to significantly alter long-standing immigration practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

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New USCIS Policy on Adjustment of Status (2026 Update)<\/b><\/h3>\n

On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum indicating that Adjustment of Status will now be limited primarily to cases involving extraordinary circumstances. In most situations, family-based green card applicants will be expected to complete their process through consular processing outside the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to USCIS, the policy is intended to better align with the original structure of U.S. immigration law, which generally anticipates that immigrant visas are processed abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the change represents a major departure from decades of established practice, under which many eligible applicants could complete the entire process while remaining in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is Adjustment of Status?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Adjustment of Status is the process that allows certain foreign nationals already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card) without leaving the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

In many cases, spouses of U.S. citizens, students, and workers who entered legally on nonimmigrant visas have used this pathway to remain in the United States while their green card application is processed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the new policy, this option is now significantly restricted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is Consular Processing?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Consular processing is the alternative green card procedure in which applicants complete their immigration case at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

This process generally includes filing immigrant visa paperwork through USCIS and the National Visa Center. Completing an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Receiving an immigrant visa to enter the United States as a lawful permanent resident<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the new framework, consular processing is expected to become the default route for most family-based cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Who Is Affected by the New Rules?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The policy may affect a broad range of applicants, including:<\/span><\/p>\n