The Trump administration has announced an immediate change to the green card application process, requiring applicants to renew their medical examination forms. This decision, which alters the rules set just over a year ago, is set to impact thousands of immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that this modification was made in response to concerns that the prior policy could pose risks to public health.
While this move is likely to affect those applying for an adjustment of status, the change has raised significant questions regarding the timing and its broader implications on immigration policy.
Immediate Impact on Green Card Applicants
The updated guidance requires that all new permanent residency applicants submit a newly completed and signed medical examination form, also known as the I-693. Previously, applicants could submit this form indefinitely, using a single signed version throughout their immigration process.
According to USCIS, this alteration is designed to ensure timely and accurate medical assessments, which can affect public health and safety.
The change is set to affect individuals who are applying for a green card through the adjustment of status process, particularly those who were allowed to use older medical examination forms up until June 10, 2025.
Matt Cameron, an immigration attorney, explained to Newsweek that applicants who were on the verge of filing their I-485 adjustment of status application could see their forms rendered invalid.
“Things that were in the mail this week are going to be invalid potentially,” he stated, adding that this change places additional pressure on those navigating the immigration system.
New Rules and Financial Implications
The rule change mandates that all applicants who withdraw or reapply for their green card will need to take a new medical exam, which could mean additional costs.
Medical exams, conducted by civil surgeons, typically range from $100 to $500, depending on the provider. This could lead to increased financial burdens for immigrants who may have already paid for the required medical exam under the old system.
Notably, this update is part of a broader pattern of stringent measures by the Trump administration to tighten immigration processes.
According to immigration attorney Elissa Taub, while the new guidance clarifies when I-693 forms are invalidated, it does not represent a radical shift in policy. “I don’t think this is too earth-shattering,” she said, emphasising that the policy change is relatively narrow compared to other recent changes in immigration law.
The new policy takes effect on June 11, 2025, and will be followed by an updated version of the medical form, which will apply starting July 3, 2025. Despite the relatively short timeframe, the changes reflect a broader trend towards more rigorous scrutiny in the immigration process under the Trump administration.
