WASHINGTON — The Trump Administration on Jan. 14 issued an Interim Final Rule that will soon be published in the Federal Register, which will impact foreign-born religious workers seeking to continue their ministries in the United States.
Catholic priests, religious, and others who hold religious worker (R-1) visas are generally required to depart the U.S. upon reaching the maximum period of stay for that visa (five years) and then can possibly return to the country on a subsequent R-1 visa. Previously, they were required to spend at least one full year outside of the U.S. between R-1 visas.
The new rule amends federal regulations to require no minimum time outside of the country before religious workers can return on a subsequent R-1 visa, provided they meet all other requirements.
This modification gives relief to religious workers and the communities they serve while the workers await legal permanent residency, commonly referred to as a “green card.” The wait time for a green card for religious workers has grown to several decades long.
For multiple years, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been alerting policymakers to the hardship this situation creates for religious organizations and people of faith, especially in more isolated or rural parts of the country. Together with interfaith partners, the bishops have been advocating since 2023 for the specific regulatory change just published.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the USCCB, and Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, said, “We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve.”
They added, “This targeted change is a truly significant step that will help facilitate essential religious services for Catholics and other people of faith throughout the United States by minimizing disruptions to cherished ministries.
“In order to provide the full extent of the relief needed and truly promote the free exercise of religion in our country, we continue to urge Congress to enact the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act.”
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
