As it stands, people living in the U.S. illegally who leave the country to apply for a green card face years of separation from family members.

Depending on how long they’ve lived in America, once they leave they are barred from returning for up to 10 years…

Under the proposed rule, which would not require action by Congress, people would be allowed to file requests for hardship waivers in the United States, according to a person familiar with the administration’s plans. They wouldn’t need to go abroad, and thus could stay with their families while their requests were adjudicated.