US lawmakers and immigration advocates are criticizing a Trump administration policy that requires people seeking US green cards to submit their applications from their home countries. Multiple sources report that Democrats plan to pursue legal and political options to seek a reversal, characterizing the policy as reckless and harmful. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not clearly specified which categories, if any, are exempt. USCIS indicates the change may not apply to people seeking asylum, according to an explanation cited by the outlets. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler also says that applicants who “provide an economic benefit or otherwise are in the national interest” are likely to be able to continue on their current path, but it is not clear which groups would qualify for that exception. Sources note uncertainty about whether skilled foreign workers—such as those on H-1B visas—would be covered by any carve-outs. Advocates argue the policy leaves many families, including Indian Americans, facing prolonged uncertainty after years of legal waiting, with one claim citing about 1.2 million people affected.