Washington: The Department of Homeland Security sought to clarify its previous announcement on immigrants exit the USA and head to their homeland countries while awaiting permanent residency permit, claiming there is no major change and that only select few will have to depart.
The clarification appeared to be a partial walk-back of an announcement in a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services news release last week. Despite the longstanding trend of residency shift the announcement was a reminder for individuals who would have go to their homeland in ‘extraordinary’ cases.
Stating that there was no blanket change and that it depends on individual immigration officers to decide whether or not the applicant should go abroad to obtain a green card. Though announced was made, a senior White House official asserted the effort was to be a housekeeping matter and not a change in strategy.
“This was just a reminder to officers of their discretionary authority, which has always existed on a case-by-case basis,” a D.H.S. spokesperson said in a statement on grounds of anonymity. The person pointed to people who overstay visas or come from countries whose citizens are heavy users of public assistance as groups that could be affected.
The clarification came as a substantial shift from the last weeks announcement, but was unlikely to reduce the pressure mounted on immigrants, especially, the Indian diaspora as confusion persisted and scant details on who would be impacted.
Outrage over the original announcement was swift. Immigration lawyers across expected to face widespread legal challenges but the confusing roll out has put them in dilemma.
Some experts also pushed back on the policy change and hinted a negative impact on the economy.
Officials indicated that certain factors, such as visa overstays or other immigration concerns, could influence individual decisions. However, detailed guidance on exactly who might be affected is yet to be learned.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News