U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Will Grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ Only in Extraordinary Circumstances

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a new policy memo reiterating that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and court decisions, aliens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside the country.

The memo clarifies that adjustment of status, the process of becoming a lawful permanent resident without leaving the United States, is only available in extraordinary circumstances.

The policy aligns with existing statutes and judicial precedents, emphasizing that the standard route for status adjustment remains consular processing abroad.

USCIS officials stated the memo does not create new law but reaffirms existing requirements for applicants seeking to adjust their status from within the United States.