Key Takeaways
• Starting June 11, 2025, all green card applicants must submit a new medical exam with their application.
• Green card renewal and replacement wait times exceed eight months, with 80% over a year as of mid-2025.
• Temporary Protected Status for Hondurans and Nicaraguans ends September 2025, risking deportation for 70,000 immigrants.
As of July 2025, green card holders—also known as lawful permanent residents (LPRs)—face a much tougher immigration environment under the Trump administration. The government now treats permanent residency as a privilege, not a right, and has rolled out a series of new rules and enforcement measures that impact both current and future green card holders. Here’s a detailed update on what’s changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for pending and future applications.
Summary of Key Changes
Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, his administration has moved quickly to reshape immigration policy. The focus has shifted toward stricter enforcement, higher barriers for applicants, and a clear message that permanent residency can be taken away if rules are not followed. The most important updates include:
- New medical exam requirements for all green card applications
- Longer wait times for green card renewals and replacements
- Termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain groups
- Expanded immigration enforcement and deportations
- Restrictions on birthright citizenship
- A new law expanding detention and cutting benefits for immigrants
Let’s break down each of these changes, explain who is affected, and outline the steps green card holders and applicants need to take.
1. Green Card Application Changes: New Medical Exam Rule
What changed:
Starting June 11, 2025, anyone applying for a green card must submit a new, up-to-date medical examination form with every application—even if they already submitted one before. This applies to all applicants, including those with pending applications that do not have a valid medical exam on file.
Who is affected:
– All new green card applicants
– Anyone reapplying after a denial or withdrawal
– Applicants with pending cases who have not yet submitted a medical exam
Effective date:
June 11, 2025
Required actions:
– Schedule a new medical exam with a USCIS-approved civil surgeon.
– Submit the updated Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record with your green card application.
– If your application is denied or withdrawn and you reapply, you must pay for and complete another new exam.
Implications:
– Increased costs: Each medical exam can cost several hundred dollars, and you may need to pay for more than one if you have to reapply.
– Delays: If you do not submit the correct medical form, your application may be delayed or denied.
– Pending applications: If you have an application pending without a medical exam, you must now submit a new one to avoid denial.
2. Green Card Replacement and Renewal: Longer Wait Times
What changed:
Processing times for green card renewals and replacements (using Form I-90) have increased sharply. In early 2025, the median wait time jumped from less than one month to over eight months. By the end of June 2025, more than 356,000 cases were still waiting to be processed.
Who is affected:
– All green card holders who need to renew or replace their cards
Effective date:
Delays began in early 2025 and are ongoing
Required actions:
– File your renewal or replacement application as early as possible.
– Keep proof of your pending application to show your legal status if needed.
– Be prepared for a wait of eight months or longer—USCIS estimates that 80% of cases may take over a year.
Implications:
– No valid card: Many green card holders may be without a valid card for months, which can make it hard to prove status for work, travel, or benefits.
– Legal risks: Not having a valid card can lead to problems with employers, landlords, or when re-entering the United States 🇺🇸 after travel.
– Stress and uncertainty: The long wait can cause anxiety and disrupt daily life.
3. End of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans
What changed:
The Trump administration is ending TPS for over 70,000 immigrants from Honduras 🇭🇳 and Nicaragua 🇳🇮 as of September 2025. Many of these individuals have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since the 1990s.
Who is affected:
– TPS holders from Honduras 🇭🇳 and Nicaragua 🇳🇮
– Their families and communities
Effective date:
September 2025
Required actions:
– Seek legal advice immediately to explore other immigration options.
– Prepare for possible loss of work authorization and risk of deportation.
Implications:
– Loss of legal status: Many will become undocumented and may face removal from the United States 🇺🇸.
– Community impact: Families and communities will be destabilized, and many children born in the United States 🇺🇸 may be separated from parents.
4. Expanded Immigration Enforcement and Deportations
What changed:
The Trump administration has brought back and expanded strict enforcement policies from President Trump’s first term. This includes:
- More frequent ICE raids in homes and workplaces
- Nationwide use of expedited removal, allowing deportations without a judge
- Stronger pressure on local police to help with immigration enforcement
- Appointment of Thomas Homan as border control czar to lead these efforts
Who is affected:
– All immigrants, especially those with any past immigration violations
– Green card holders with criminal records or unresolved legal issues
Effective date:
Ongoing since January 2025
Required actions:
– Keep all immigration documents up to date and on hand.
– Consult with an immigration lawyer if you have any legal concerns.
– Avoid any actions that could attract law enforcement attention.
Implications:
– Higher risk of deportation: Even green card holders can be targeted if they have certain legal problems.
– Fear and uncertainty: Many immigrants may feel unsafe, even if they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years.
5. Executive Orders Restricting Birthright Citizenship
What changed:
A new executive order, effective February 19, 2025, limits birthright citizenship for children born in the United States 🇺🇸. If the mother is in the country unlawfully or only has temporary permission, and the father is not a U.S. citizen or green card holder, the child may not get automatic citizenship.
Who is affected:
– Families where one or both parents are not U.S. citizens or green card holders
Effective date:
February 19, 2025
Required actions:
– Seek legal advice if you are expecting a child and are unsure about your status.
Implications:
– Legal uncertainty: Many children may not receive citizenship at birth, leading to confusion and possible legal battles.
– Ongoing court challenges: Legal experts expect this order to face lawsuits and possible changes in the future.
6. “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA): Expanded Detention and Benefit Cuts
What changed:
Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the OBBBA increases funding for immigration detention to $45 billion through 2029. It also:
- Quadruples the budget for ICE detention
- Allows for indefinite detention of families, including children
- Cuts access to health care, nutrition, and tax benefits for many immigrants, even those lawfully present
Who is affected:
– Immigrants in detention, including families and children
– Lawfully present immigrants who rely on public benefits
Effective date:
July 4, 2025
Required actions:
– Review your eligibility for public benefits and seek help if you are affected.
– If detained, request legal representation as soon as possible.
Implications:
– Longer, harsher detention: More people may be held for longer periods, including families.
– Reduced support: Many immigrants will lose access to basic needs like health care and food assistance.
7. Background: Why These Changes Are Happening
The Trump administration’s approach is guided by Project 2025, a plan to overhaul the immigration system. The main goals are to:
- End the Diversity Visa Lottery
- Limit family-based immigration
- Expand fast-track deportations
- Cancel humanitarian programs like TPS and DACA
Since January 2025, President Trump has used executive orders and new laws to reverse policies from the previous administration and make it harder to get and keep permanent residency. The government now treats green card status as something that can be lost if rules are not followed, not as a permanent right.
8. Practical Steps for Green Card Holders and Applicants
If you are a green card holder or are applying for permanent residency, here’s what you should do under the new rules:
For new green card applications:
– Complete Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
– Schedule and pay for a new medical exam with a USCIS-approved doctor.
– Submit the updated Form I-693 with your application.
– If your application is denied or withdrawn, you must repeat the medical exam for any new application.
For green card renewals or replacements:
– File Form I-90 as early as possible.
– Keep a copy of your receipt notice to prove your status while waiting.
– Be prepared for long delays and keep your documents safe.
For TPS holders from Honduras 🇭🇳 and Nicaragua 🇳🇮:
– Seek legal help to find out if you qualify for another status.
– Prepare for the end of TPS in September 2025.
For all immigrants:
– Keep all documents up to date.
– Know your rights if approached by immigration officers.
– Seek legal advice if you have any concerns about your status.
9. Who’s Making These Decisions?
- President Trump: Leading the push for stricter immigration rules and enforcement.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: Defended ending TPS for Hondurans and Nicaraguans, saying conditions have improved in those countries.
- Thomas Homan: Now in charge of border enforcement and deportations.
- USCIS: Handles green card applications and is responsible for the new medical exam rule and longer wait times.
- Immigrant advocacy groups: Oppose these changes, saying they harm families and communities.
10. Expert Opinions and Legal Challenges
- Legal experts say some of these changes, especially the birthright citizenship order and expanded detention, may be challenged in court.
- Immigrant rights groups warn that the new law and enforcement measures will cause long-term harm, especially to children and families.
- Policy analysts believe the shift to a merit-based system and fewer family visas will change the makeup of future immigrants and could have economic effects.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes reflect a clear move toward treating permanent residency as a conditional status, with more ways for the government to take it away if rules are not followed.
11. What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the Trump administration is expected to:
- Keep increasing funding for enforcement and detention through 2029
- Try to end the Diversity Visa Lottery and limit family-based immigration
- Face ongoing lawsuits over birthright citizenship and humanitarian programs
- Possibly add more rules and costs for green card applicants
- Push local police to work more closely with immigration authorities
12. Where to Get Help and More Information
If you are affected by these changes or need more details, use these official resources:
- USCIS Green Card Information:
uscis.gov/green-card - DHS Immigration Enforcement:
dhs.gov/immigration-enforcement - ICE Detention and Deportation:
ice.gov/detention-management - Legal Assistance:
Actionable Takeaways
- If you are a green card holder or applicant:
- Stay informed about new rules and deadlines.
- File all applications early and keep copies of your documents.
- Budget for higher costs, including repeated medical exams.
- Seek legal advice if you have any questions or face delays.
- If you have TPS from Honduras 🇭🇳 or Nicaragua 🇳🇮:
- Act now to explore other options before September 2025.
- For all immigrants:
- Know your rights and keep your documents safe.
- Reach out to trusted legal or community organizations for support.
These changes mark a new era for green card holders and those seeking permanent residency in the United States 🇺🇸. The Trump administration’s policies mean higher costs, longer waits, and more risk for immigrants and their families. Staying informed and prepared is more important than ever.
Learn Today
Green Card → A document granting lawful permanent residency allowing immigrants to live and work indefinitely in the U.S.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A humanitarian program protecting certain immigrants from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home countries.
Form I-693 → USCIS form for submitting a report of medical examination and vaccination record for immigration applications.
Expedited Removal → A deportation procedure allowing swift removal of migrants without a hearing before an immigration judge.
Form I-90 → Application used to renew or replace a green card.
This Article in a Nutshell
New Trump administration policies tighten green card rules in 2025, adding costly medical exams and longer renewals. TPS ends for some groups. Enforcement and detention expand sharply, increasing risks and delays for immigrants. These changes mark a shift treating permanent residency as a privilege, with more legal and financial challenges ahead.
— By VisaVerge.com
