US Green Card Rule: 100K–200K Filipinos May Be Affected
Philippine Ambassador Babe Romualdez says 100,000 to 200,000 Filipinos may be affected by a new US green card policy on adjustment of status.
Thousands of Filipinos waiting for a US green card may need to watch this closely: Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez told GMA News that an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Filipinos could be affected by a new US immigration policy on green card applications.
The issue centers on adjustment of status, or applying for lawful permanent residence while already inside the United States. According to the report, US Citizenship and Immigration Services said adjustment of status will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances, while consular processing abroad remains the regular route for immigrant visa applications.
Romualdez said Filipinos in the US who are waiting for their green card applications may now have to return to the Philippines and have their applications processed there. He said US officials explained the move as part of efforts to address cases where denied applicants do not leave, and to ease pressure on immigration processing centers handling millions of applications.
The ambassador clarified that Filipinos already in the Philippines and waiting for green card processing through the US Embassy or consulate should not have the same problem. He also said there may be possible exceptions, especially humanitarian cases involving elderly applicants or people with compelling reasons not to leave the US, and advised affected Filipinos to consult immigration lawyers immediately.
Romualdez also warned Filipinos to follow US immigration laws, saying those without legal status can be detained and that Philippine consulates have limited ability to help once US legal processes begin. Filipinos with valid working visas, he added, are not affected in the same way. Source: GMA News Online
