NEPYORK

A new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy memo is poised to significantly alter the green card application process for many Nepali immigrants, potentially requiring approximately 75% of those seeking to adjust their status within the United States to apply through overseas consular processing. This shift, effective from early 2025 through May 2026, moves adjustment of status from a standard option to an extraordinary relief, impacting individuals on temporary visas.

Farmers across Nepal are facing significant challenges due to a growing monkey menace, which is destroying crops and contributing to rural migration. Lawmakers have raised concerns in parliament about the impact on livelihoods, with some suggesting drastic measures for monkey management. The issue is seen as a critical ecological imbalance affecting rural communities.

Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, successfully summited Mount Everest on May 20, 2026, at 9:10 AM, becoming the first serving American Foreign Service Officer to achieve this feat. The U.S. Embassy stated the climb symbolizes the American spirit of exploration and resilience ahead of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, known as "Freedom 250." This achievement also underscores nearly 80 years of friendship between the United States and Nepal and highlights the critical role of the Sherpa community in mountaineering.

A record-breaking 274 climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest from the Nepali side in a single day, the highest number ever recorded. This historic ascent occurred during a spring climbing season that has also seen multiple fatalities, raising concerns about safety and overcrowding on the world's highest peak.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new policy requiring most green card applicants to complete the process from their home countries, ending the practice of adjusting status within the United States except in extraordinary circumstances. This significant shift, announced by the Trump administration, aims to tighten immigration controls and curb perceived system misuse, with applicants now needing to go through U.S. embassies or consular offices abroad.