Most immigrants applying for green cards will not be required to leave the United States while their applications are being processed, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Friday, clarifying an earlier announcement that had sparked concern among immigrants, employers and immigration lawyers, according to The New York Times.
The clarification followed a USCIS news release issued last week that appeared to suggest immigrants seeking permanent residency would have to return to their home countries and wait abroad for approval except in "extraordinary" cases. The announcement raised fears that a long-standing process allowing many applicants to remain in the United States could be significantly restricted.
