[INTRO / ANCHOR IN-VISION]
“An unexpected and radical decision by the United States Immigration Department is expected to bring major disruptions for thousands of immigrants, including many Albanians. The official agency, USCIS, has published a new policy memorandum that directly hits those attempting to obtain Permanent Residence or pursue family reunification by adjusting their status from within the United States. But who is actually affected by this decision, and what happens to family reunifications?.”
[VOICE-OVER TEXT]
Shedding light on one of the biggest shake-ups in the U.S. immigration system in recent years, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, has announced a new rule that fundamentally changes how the “Green Card” is granted.
Until today, a large number of Albanians traveling to America on temporary visas—such as tourist or student visas—utilized their stay there to get married or initiate family reunification procedures, waiting for their residence permits inside U.S. territory without needing to return to Albania.
[GRAPHIC ON SCREEN: WHO IS BLOCKED?]
With the new rule, this “shortcut” is completely blocked. USCIS has stated that temporary visas carry a non-immigrant intent. Therefore, if a person enters the U.S. as a tourist or student and subsequently applies for family reunification, they will no longer be allowed to adjust their status from within America. This individual will be legally required to return to their country of origin and await their interview and permanent visa at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana.
[GRAPHIC ON SCREEN: WHO IS NOT AFFECTED?]
To avoid panic, legal experts clarify that this decision does not cancel the family reunification law, but simply changes the location where the visa process is completed.
The procedure from within America remains valid and untouched for only two categories:
- First, for individuals entering on specific fiancé visas, known as K-1 visas.
- Second, for those currently in the U.S. on regular dual-intent work visas, such as H-1B or L-1 visas.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, adjusting status from within America for tourists has been an “administrative grace” and not an automatic right. Immigration attorneys view this measure as highly restrictive, predicting long delays due to backlogs at embassies.
The decision goes into effect immediately, creating a new emergency situation for everyone who was planning to adjust their documents without leaving American soil.
Dt: New York, USA – May 2026
Reporter: News Desk
For USALB TV
