Here & Now‘s Indira Lakshmanan speaks with Cleveland-based immigration attorney Richard Herman about new rules put out by the Trump administration last Friday that require people to apply for green cards from abroad instead of from inside the U.S., as has been the custom for immigrants seeking permanent residency status. It’s not clear what the new rules mean for current green card applicants.

Editor’s note: After the segment aired on May 26, the Department of Homeland Security shared information with Here & Now about new rules for people seeking permanent residency. The agency told us in part, “This policy does not impact existing green card holders at all – they can continue to reside in the United States and travel freely,” and, “This policy will have no noticeable impact on highly qualified applicants and skilled professionals who have followed the law. These aliens benefit the national interest and provide economic benefits to the United States and will continue to merit the favorable exercise of discretion.”

This segment aired on May 26, 2026.