I might be wrong, but this update is addressing a real problem that company is facing. This is not some hypothetical, slippery slope kinda thing.
For instance, in Belarus right now a lot of engineers seek to get out the country due to dictatorship regime. Poland and neighbourhood countries offer emergency visa plans for people in trouble (business harbour visa).
I think what happened is that GitLab started receiving a lot of emergency requests to be relocated immediately that did not comply the existing policy. Hence the update.
For instance, in Belarus right now a lot of engineers seek to get out the country due to dictatorship regime. Poland and neighbourhood countries offer emergency visa plans for people in trouble (business harbour visa).
I think what happened is that GitLab started receiving a lot of emergency requests to be relocated immediately that did not comply the existing policy. Hence the update.