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The administration argues that the immigration system should function “as the law intended” rather than encouraging temporary visa holders to remain in the country while pursuing permanent residency. According to analysts at the Cato Institute, more than one million immigrants in the US are currently waiting for green cards.

The new rules could force many applicants to leave behind jobs, homes and families while their applications are processed overseas. Immigration experts say the change could particularly hurt mixed-status families, where some members are US citizens or permanent residents while others are on temporary visas. There is also uncertainty over how pending green card applications already filed inside the US will be treated. Immigrant aid organisations strongly criticised the move. HIAS said the policy could endanger vulnerable people, including survivors of trafficking and abused children, by compelling them to return to countries they had fled.