On May 22, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy memo indicating that USCIS will now grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ to Permanent Resident (Green Card) within the U.S. only under limited ‘extraordinary circumstances.’ Applicants who do not meet the ‘extraordinary circumstances’ will be required to depart the U.S. and apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad.
Copies of the news release and policy memo are available here.
This release was unexpected, and significant questions remain, including what would constitute ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and whether the policy impacts individuals with adjustment of status applications already pending.
Higher education associations and immigration experts are seeking clarification from USCIS. We will update the MIT community when we have additional information. If you have a permanent residence application pending, we strongly advise that you seek guidance from the immigration attorney and/or employer processing your application.
If your permanent residence application is sponsored by MIT, please contact an Assistant Director in the MIT International Scholars Office (ISchO).
For other questions, please contact your advisor at the MIT International Students Office (ISO) or MIT International Scholars Office (ISchO).