The U.S. Department of Homeland Security clarified that most immigrants seeking permanent residency will not have to leave the country to obtain a green card.
The statement represents a partial retreat from last week's administration announcement that status applicants would be forced to wait in their countries of origin, and it was clarified that the decision will be subject to the discretion of immigration officers in individual cases, particularly for immigrants who have overstayed their visas or relied on public assistance.
The original move sparked confusion and concern among attorneys and business organizations over potential harm to skilled foreign workers and relatives of American citizens. A department spokesperson said: "Discretionary authority has always existed on a case-by-case basis."