Trump Tightens Requirements for Obtaining a Green Card

Trump tightens new requirements for Green Card applicants
As reported by El Cronista
Here are the details

U.S. immigration policies have taken a sharp turn following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.

As of February 10, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new mandatory requirement.

This change affects all foreign nationals seeking a Green Card—the document that grants permanent residency and work authorization in the United States.

Significant changes are now in effect.

New Version of Form I-485

👉 New version of Form I-485 changes public charge section for Green Card applicants: these are the removed fields https://t.co/rsrawy8ecr

– 2001online (@2001online) March 6, 2025

The primary change involves an update to Form I-485, which is essential for applying for permanent residency.

From the stated date forward, only the most recent version of the form—dated 10/24/24—will be accepted.

Any applications submitted using previous versions will be automatically rejected.

This could significantly impact thousands of applicants.

Key Changes in the Application Process

#SOCIETY | Changes to the Green Card: New requirements to access the visa that allows you to live and work in the United States

Since the arrival of the Trump administration, obtaining the permit has become much more complex. Details in this report… pic.twitter.com/k85qdrc9ky

— RADIO FÉNIX 95.1 (@radiofenix951) March 20, 2025

The new version of the form includes several key changes aimed at streamlining immigration procedures and minimizing potential errors:

Mandatory Medical Exam with Initial Submission

Applicants must now include Form I-693, which certifies the immigration medical exam and vaccination record, at the same time as Form I-485.

Failure to do so may result in the application being rejected.

Elimination of Form I-864W

Applicants who are exempt from submitting the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) no longer need to submit Form I-864W separately.

Instead, they can request the exemption directly within the new I-485 form.

Clarification on Public Charge

The updated form includes more detailed questions that allow authorities to better assess whether an applicant is inadmissible due to the risk of becoming a public charge.

Trump Tightens New Requirements for Obtaining a Green Card

Changes to the U.S. Green Card: new requirements and documents requested by Trump’s administration https://t.co/dob3yz2mnw

– Freddyzur (@freddyzur) March 19, 2025

According to USCIS, these changes are intended to simplify data collection, reduce administrative burden, and speed up immigration processing.

However, some experts warn that the new measures could complicate the process for certain applicants—and increase the risk of rejection due to technical errors or missing documents.

Impact on Mexican, Argentine, and Other Foreign Applicants

Although the new policy does not target any specific nationality, it will affect Mexican, Argentine, and other foreign nationals who have traditionally applied for permanent residency in the U.S.

With stricter requirements now in place, careful planning and strict compliance with the updated guidelines will be crucial to avoid setbacks.

These changes arrive in the context of more restrictive immigration policies promoted by the Trump administration.

With the new form now mandatory, applicants must pay close attention to every detail of the process to maximize their chances of successfully obtaining a Green Card.

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