The Trump administration’s new policy requiring green card applicants to file their applications from their home countries has triggered strong criticism from the US technology sector.
Several tech leaders, including the founders of LinkedIn, Coursera and Y Combinator, have called the move harmful to America’s economy, innovation and global competitiveness.
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman questioned whether the new rule would force AI researchers, employees and students to leave the United States and wait through a long backlog process before continuing their work.
He described the move as “harmful” for technology, business and America in general.
Coursera co-founder Andrew Ng also criticised the policy, calling it a “capricious attack” on legal immigration. He said forcing green card applicants to apply from outside the US would hurt families and reduce the number of doctors, teachers and scientists in the country.
Ng also warned that the decision could damage America’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence.
Y Combinator founder Garry Tan called the policy “bad and misguided.” He said the US needs to keep smart people in the country to build the future and create businesses that can employ millions of people.
The criticism comes after US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a memo last week stating that students and temporary workers come to the country for a limited period and that their stay should not automatically become the first step toward obtaining a green card.
USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler defended the policy, saying it would allow the immigration system to function as intended and prevent the misuse of loopholes.
According to him, when applicants apply from their home countries, it reduces the need to locate and remove those who may remain in the US illegally after being denied residency.
USCIS has said green cards will be granted to applicants already inside the United States only under extraordinary circumstances.
