Green Card Holders Alert: Key Immigration Updates for International Students

Key Takeaways

• Green Card replacement processing now takes over a year for 80% of applicants as of mid-2025.
• TPS for Hondurans and Nicaraguans ends September 2025, risking legal status loss for 70,000+ people.
• All non-citizens 14+ must register with USCIS by April 11, 2025, and carry proof if 18+.

As of July 2025, the U.S. immigration system has seen major changes that directly affect Green Card holders and international students. These updates bring new rules, longer wait times, and stricter requirements. It’s important for everyone affected to understand what has changed, who is impacted, what steps to take, and how these changes might affect pending applications or daily life.

Summary of What Changed

Several key updates have taken effect in 2025:

• Green Card replacement and renewal wait times have soared—most applicants now face over a year of waiting.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans will end in September 2025, putting tens of thousands at risk of losing legal status.
• A new alien registration rule now requires all non-citizens, including Green Card holders and international students, to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and carry proof of registration.
• Marriage-based Green Card applications face stricter form requirements and more fraud checks.
• Project 2025 policy proposals could further limit relief programs, family-based immigration, and legal protections for many groups.

Let’s break down each change, who is affected, what actions are needed, and what these updates mean for pending and future immigration cases.

Green Card Replacement and Processing Delays

What’s New:
USCIS reports that the time to process Green Card renewals and replacements (using Form I-90) has jumped by nearly 1,000% in just a few months. The median wait time went from less than a month to over eight months between January and March 2025. By the end of June 2025, more than 356,000 cases were still waiting to be processed. Now, 80% of Green Card replacements could take over a year.

Who Is Affected:
– All lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as Green Card holders, who need to renew or replace their cards.

Required Actions:
– Check your Green Card’s expiration date. If it’s expiring within the next 18 months, apply for renewal as soon as possible.
– Use only the latest edition of Form I-90. Outdated forms will be rejected.
– Track your case status using the USCIS online tool.
– Keep proof of your pending application. This can help with work or travel if your card expires while you wait.

Implications for Pending Applications:
– Many Green Card holders will spend months, or even over a year, without a valid card. This can make it hard to prove legal status for jobs, travel, or government services.
– Employers may ask for extra proof of status. You can show your I-90 receipt notice as evidence that your renewal is in process.

End of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans

What’s New:
The Trump administration has announced that TPS for more than 70,000 people from Honduras and Nicaragua will end in September 2025. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said this is because conditions in those countries have improved.

Who Is Affected:
– TPS holders from Honduras and Nicaragua, many of whom have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since the 1990s.

Required Actions:
– Check your TPS expiration date. If you are from Honduras or Nicaragua, your protection ends in September 2025.
– Seek legal advice immediately to see if you qualify for another immigration status, such as asylum, family-based petitions, or employment-based visas.
– Prepare for possible changes in work authorization and benefits.

Implications for Pending Applications:
– If you have a pending application for another status, you may be able to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 while it is processed.
– If you do not secure another status, you could face deportation after TPS ends.
– Families may face separation if some members lose protection while others remain eligible.

New Alien Registration Requirement

What’s New:
Starting April 11, 2025, all non-citizens in the United States 🇺🇸 must register with the government. This follows Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” signed on January 20, 2025.

Who Is Affected:
– All non-citizens aged 14 and older who have not already registered and who stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for 30 days or more.
– Parents or guardians must register children under 14.
– When a child turns 14, they must re-register and be fingerprinted.

Required Actions:
– Create a USCIS online account at uscis.gov/alienregistration.
– Complete and submit Form G-325R (Biographic Information) online. There is no mail or in-person option.
– Attend a biometrics appointment if required (for fingerprinting and photos).
– Download and print your proof of registration. If you are 18 or older, you must carry this proof at all times.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:
– Failing to register can lead to fines or even jail time.

Implications for Pending Applications:
– If you are waiting for a Green Card, visa, or other status, you still must register.
– Not registering could hurt your current or future immigration applications.

Tightening of Marriage-Based Green Card Procedures

What’s New:
USCIS now requires the most recent editions of all key forms for marriage-based Green Card applications, including Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), Form I-129F (Fiancé Visa), and Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). Outdated or mismatched forms will be rejected. The agency is also focusing more on fraud detection.

Who Is Affected:
– Anyone applying for a Green Card through marriage or engagement to a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.

Required Actions:
– Download and use only the latest forms from the USCIS forms page.
– Double-check that all pages have the same edition date.
– Follow all instructions carefully to avoid mistakes that could lead to rejection.
– Be ready for extra questions or requests for evidence as part of fraud checks.

Implications for Pending Applications:
– If you submitted an outdated form, your application may be rejected, and you’ll need to start over.
– Even small mistakes can lead to delays or denials.
– Expect more interviews and document requests.

Project 2025 Immigration Policies

What’s New:
Project 2025 is a set of proposed policies that could bring even stricter immigration rules if fully adopted. These include:

• Ending protections around sensitive locations like schools and hospitals, allowing immigration enforcement in these places.
• Expanding expedited removal across the country, making it easier to deport people without a court hearing.
• Ending key relief programs like TPS, DACA, and visas for crime victims.
• Eliminating the Diversity Visa Lottery and sharply limiting family-based immigration in favor of a merit-based system.

Who Is Affected:
– All non-citizens, especially those relying on humanitarian programs or family-based immigration.

Required Actions:
– Stay updated on policy changes, as these proposals could become law.
– Consult with an immigration attorney if you are in a vulnerable category.

Implications for Pending Applications:
– If these policies are adopted, many pending applications for relief or family-based visas could be denied.
– People who lose protection may face quick removal from the United States 🇺🇸.

Background and Context

Since early 2025, the Trump administration has taken a much tougher approach to immigration. This includes:

• Executive orders to restrict birthright citizenship for some children born in the United States 🇺🇸 after February 19, 2025.
• Efforts to close the southern border and push states to help with immigration enforcement.
• Legal challenges from advocacy groups and courts questioning the fairness and legality of these changes.

These actions have created a climate of uncertainty for Green Card holders, international students, and many other immigrants.

Practical Implications for Green Card Holders and International Students

For Green Card Holders:

• Longer waits for card replacements mean you may have trouble proving your status for work, travel, or benefits.
• You must register with USCIS and carry proof if you are 18 or older.
• Marriage-based applicants face more scrutiny and risk rejection for even small mistakes.

For International Students:

• You must register with USCIS if you haven’t already done so through your visa process.
• Carry proof of registration at all times if you are over 18.
• Visa processing could be delayed due to backlogs and stricter enforcement.
• Falling out of status is riskier than ever, as expedited removal could mean quick deportation without a court hearing.

Step-by-Step Procedures

Alien Registration (as of April 11, 2025):

1. Create a USCIS Online Account at uscis.gov/alienregistration.
2. Complete Form G-325R (Biographic Information) online.
3. Submit the form through your account.
4. Attend a biometrics appointment if required.
5. Download and print your proof of registration. Carry it at all times if you are 18 or older.

Green Card Replacement (Form I-90):

1. Check that you have the latest edition of Form I-90.
2. Fill out and submit the form to USCIS.
3. Wait for processing, which may take over a year.
4. Track your case status online.

Key Stakeholders and Recent Statements

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stressed the importance of the new registration rule and announced the end of TPS for Hondurans and Nicaraguans.
• USCIS is responsible for enforcing new form requirements, registration, and processing delays.
• Advocacy groups warn that these changes could separate families and harm communities.

Expert Analysis and Multiple Perspectives

• Government officials say these changes are needed for national security and to make sure everyone follows the law.
• Advocacy groups argue that the new rules create fear, make it harder for immigrants to get help, and hurt families.
• Legal experts point out that some policies, like restricting birthright citizenship or expanding expedited removal, may not be legal and could be challenged in court.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes have sparked debate across the country, with many watching closely to see how courts and lawmakers respond.

Future Outlook and Anticipated Developments

• Enforcement is likely to continue or get tougher, especially if Project 2025 policies move forward.
• Legal challenges will continue, especially on issues like birthright citizenship and removal procedures.
• Programs like TPS and DACA remain uncertain, and could be ended or changed at any time.

Official Resources and Contact Information

For the most current and official information, visit:

• USCIS Alien Registration
• USCIS Forms and Updates
• USCIS Case Status
• U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin

Summary Table: Key 2025 Immigration Changes

Common Questions and Concerns

• What if I don’t register?
  You could face fines or jail time. Registration is required for all non-citizens.

• How long will my Green Card replacement take?
  Most cases now take over a year. Apply as early as possible and keep your receipt notice.

• Can I travel without my Green Card?
  Travel may be difficult without proof of status. Check with USCIS for possible alternatives.

• What if my forms are outdated?
  Outdated forms will be rejected. Always use the latest edition from the USCIS forms page.

Conclusion and Immediate Next Steps

The U.S. immigration system in 2025 is more complex and demanding than ever for Green Card holders and international students. Here’s what you should do right now:

• Register with USCIS if you haven’t already, and carry proof if you are 18 or older.
• Check your Green Card’s expiration date and apply for renewal early.
• Use only the latest forms for any immigration application.
• Stay informed by checking official USCIS updates and consulting trusted legal resources.
• Seek legal advice if you are affected by TPS changes or other policy shifts.

By staying alert and following these steps, you can better protect your status and prepare for any future changes. For more details and updates, always refer to official government sources and trusted immigration news outlets.

Learn Today

Green Card → A document granting lawful permanent residency in the United States to non-citizens.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A temporary immigration status protecting nationals of certain countries from deportation due to unsafe conditions.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency managing immigration and naturalization processes.
Alien Registration → A government requirement for non-citizens to register biographically and carry proof of registration.
Marriage-Based Green Card → A green card obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, US immigration changes affect Green Card holders and students with longer wait times, TPS ending, registration rules, and stricter marriage-based applications requiring careful compliance.
— By VisaVerge.com