Learn about the new procedures for permanent residence in America policy

In July, the United States will begin implementing a package of new measures that tighten regular immigration rules, as part of the policy of President Donald Trump’s administration aimed at narrowing the paths to obtaining a green card (green card or permanent residency), according to a report by Newsweek magazine.

The magazine explains that the expected changes combine new restrictions on visas, tightening procedures for reviewing applications, and expanding the authorities’ powers to reject files due to administrative or technical errors, including the absence of a correct signature on the application.

Visas and signatures

According to the US State Department’s Monthly Visa Bulletin for July 2026, some work visa categories have become unavailable until the end of the current fiscal year due to the exhaustion of annual quotas, especially the worker category (EP-2) for applicants from India, in addition to some investor visas (EP-5).

Newsweek indicates that these restrictions mean that no new approvals will be issued within these categories before the beginning of the next fiscal year in October.

A temporary decision will come into effect on July 10 that gives immigration authorities broader powers to reject or cancel applications that lack a valid signature, even after they have been initially accepted and processing procedures have begun.

USCIS continues to adopt a more stringent “final action dates” schedule when considering adjustment of status applications, which limits the number of applicants eligible to submit their applications at this time.

Also effective July 10 is a temporary decision issued by the Department of Homeland Security that gives immigration authorities broader powers to reject or cancel applications that lack a valid signature, even after they have been initially accepted and processing procedures have begun.

The magazine notes that applicants may lose the application fee if the application is rejected for this reason, and they may have to repeat the entire process, including submitting a new application and paying new fees.

The expected changes include the implementation of a guidance note confirming that adjusting the legal status to obtain permanent residency in America is a “discretionary measure,” and not an automatic right once the legal conditions are met.

Discretionary action

The changes also include the implementation of a guidance note issued by the Immigration Service last May confirming that adjusting the legal status to obtain permanent residency is a “discretionary measure,” and not an automatic right once the legal conditions are met.

According to Newsweek, immigration officials will be required to evaluate each file individually, taking into account multiple factors beyond simply meeting basic requirements, which specialized lawyers say increases the state of uncertainty and tightens scrutiny of applications.

Longer waiting times

The magazine believes that these measures come at a time when the American immigration system is facing increasing pressure due to the accumulation of applications and the high number of people wishing to obtain permanent residency, in light of the annual ceilings imposed by the law on work visas and family immigration.

Newsweek concludes that the current restrictions will continue until September 30, the end of the fiscal year, which means that in the coming months applicants will face longer waiting periods, fewer available visas in some categories, and greater stringency in the application of procedural rules for permanent residency applications.