Immigration News

USCIS Policy Updates Travel Ban

Appeals Court Lets USCIS Reopen Already-Approved Cases for Travel-Ban Nationals - But Keeps the Adjudication Freeze Dead

The First Circuit on August 14 refused to revive the USCIS benefits hold and nationality-as-negative-factor policies, but allowed the agency to resume re-reviewing approvals granted on or after January 20, 2021.

F-1 J-1 DHS Policy Updates

Colleges and Unions Sue to Block the Four-Year Cap on F-1 and J-1 Status Weeks Before It Takes Effect

A coalition of universities, educator groups and labor unions filed suit August 18 in federal court in Massachusetts seeking to stop the DHS rule that ends duration of status for international students on September 15.

Somalia TPS Work Permits Went Invalid August 14 - While Sudan and Ukraine EADs Got Extended to October 19

USCIS terminated Somalia TPS effective August 14, 2026 and voided its A12 and C19 work permits, while automatically extending expired Sudan and Ukraine TPS-based EADs through October 19, 2026.

TPS USCIS Work Permits

H-1B Policy Updates Texas

Texas Governor Wants Zero H-1B Workers in Public Schools - and Dallas ISD Alone Would Lose Hundreds

Gov. Greg Abbott proposed legislation on August 18 to bar Texas public school districts from sponsoring H-1B visas, extending a freeze he already imposed on state agencies and public universities in January.

Aug 23, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

BIA Says You Get One Motion to Reopen - Ever - and Bad Lawyering Will Not Buy You Another

In Matter of M-M-L-J-, decided August 18, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals held that a noncitizen may file only one motion to reopen across both the Immigration Court and the Board, and that ineffective assistance of counsel cannot equitably toll that limit.

BIA EOIR Removal Proceedings Policy Updates

Aug 23, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

Judge Vacates the 75-Country Immigrant Visa Ban - and Wipes Out the Denials Already Issued Under It

Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York struck down the January 2026 order barring immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, vacating denials made under it and ordering the State Department to resume individual assessments.

Green Card Visa News Court Ruling State Department

Aug 19, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

USCIS Sets a Hard Sept. 18 Cutover for Form I-485 — File the New Edition Early and It Gets Rejected

USCIS will publish a revised Form I-485 on Sept. 18, 2026 with no grace period. Filing the old edition on or after that date means rejection — and so does filing the new edition before it.

USCIS Green Card I-485 Public Charge

Aug 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

BIA Overrules Arrabally: Traveling on Advance Parole Can Now Trigger the 3- and 10-Year Bars

In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, decided Aug. 13, the Board of Immigration Appeals ended a 14-year protection for advance parole travelers — but applied the new rule prospectively only.

Green Card USCIS Policy Updates

Aug 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

Justice Department Files Record 25 Denaturalization Cases — Bringing the Total to 123 Since January 2025

USCIS says DOJ has filed 123 civil denaturalization complaints since January 2025, including 25 in recent weeks — what the government must prove, and what it means for naturalized citizens.

USCIS Naturalization Policy Updates

Aug 13, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Extends Expired El Salvador TPS Work Permits — But Only Until the Program Ends September 9

USCIS said on August 12 that expired TPS-based work permits for eligible Salvadorans with pending renewals are extended to September 9, 2026 — the same day the El Salvador TPS designation is set to terminate.

TPS USCIS Work Authorization EAD

Aug 11, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

Trump Signs Two New Orders on Birthright Citizenship and 'Birth Tourism' After Losing at the Supreme Court

Two executive orders signed August 6, 2026 narrow birthright citizenship for specific categories of children and direct State and DHS to deny visas to suspected birth tourists — a more targeted approach after the Supreme Court's June ruling.

USCIS Policy Updates Visa News

Aug 08, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Court Lets TPS Work Permits Lapse for El Salvador, Ukraine and Sudan Beneficiaries

A Massachusetts federal court declined on August 5 to block the government from curtailing TPS employment authorization, allowing work permits for three countries' beneficiaries to expire even though their TPS designations run into September and October.

TPS Work Permits EAD Court Ruling

Aug 05, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Appeals Court Refuses to Revive the $100,000 H-1B Fee — Petitions Stay Fee-Free Into 2027

The First Circuit denied the government's request to stay a ruling that vacated the $100,000 H-1B payment, leaving the fee unenforceable while the appeal proceeds.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates

Aug 05, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

ICE Expands Airport Arrests to Visa Overstays — Including People With Pending Green Card Applications

Attorneys report ICE detentions at check-in counters, gates, and arrival terminals at 15+ U.S. airports, now reaching overstays with pending adjustment or EAD applications.

USCIS Green Card H-1B Policy Updates

Aug 05, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

TPS Work Permits Are Now Expiring in Week-Long Increments — Here Are the Current Dates

After the Supreme Court's June 2026 decision in Mullin v. Doe, USCIS is extending TPS work authorization a few days at a time while litigation continues, with Haiti, Syria, and Yemen already terminated.

USCIS Policy Updates Employment Authorization

Jul 22, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Judge Halts USCIS Work-Permit Rollback for Asylum Seekers and TPS Holders

A Boston federal judge temporarily blocked USCIS from retroactively shortening work permits and from using unpaid annual asylum fees to terminate work authorization, with a longer-term ruling expected by August 5, 2026.

USCIS EAD TPS Policy Updates

Jul 19, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Quietly Lifts Processing Holds on Physician H-1B and J-1 Waiver Cases

USCIS has lifted processing holds on physician cases, allowing stalled H-1B petitions and J-1 waiver adjustment-of-status applications for medical doctors to resume normal processing.

USCIS H-1B NIW Processing Times

Jul 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Housing Aid Will Count Against Green Card Applicants Starting September 18

A DHS final rule effective September 18, 2026 lets USCIS weigh food stamps, Medicaid, and housing aid in green card decisions under a broader public charge test — with key exemptions.

Green Card USCIS Policy Updates EB-2

Jul 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Trump Administration Weighs a Refundable $100,000 Green Card Bond for Some Immigrant Visa Applicants

The State Department is reviewing a proposal to require a refundable bond of up to $100,000 from certain immigrant visa applicants abroad, refundable only after naturalization.

Green Card USCIS Policy Updates Immigration News

Jul 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Reaches FY2027 H-1B Cap — No Second Lottery, and the New Wage-Weighted System Reshapes Selection

USCIS has filled all 85,000 FY2027 H-1B slots with no second lottery, as the first wage-weighted selection cycle drives a 38.5% drop in registrations and boosts advanced-degree selections.

H-1B USCIS Visa News NIW

Jul 17, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

DHS Ends "Duration of Status": F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders Face Fixed 4-Year Admission Under New Final Rule

DHS's new final rule ends open-ended "duration of status" for F, J, and I visa holders, imposing fixed admission periods capped at four years, cutting the F-1 grace period from 60 to 30 days, and restricting mid-program school transfers and objective changes.

F-1 Visa OPT H-1B Duration of Status +2 more

Jul 17, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

TPS Work Permits for Six Countries Set to Expire July 17 — What Workers and Employers Need to Know

USCIS set July 17, 2026 as the work-authorization expiration date for TPS holders from Burma, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen (July 24 for Haiti). E-Verify updated its employer handbook as automatic extensions are reduced or eliminated amid ongoing litigation.

TPS USCIS Work Authorization E-Verify

Jul 17, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Rescinds 2022 Public Charge Rule: Tougher Green Card Test Returns September 18, 2026

DHS has rescinded the 2022 public charge rule effective September 18, 2026, restoring case-by-case officer discretion and requiring a revised Form I-485 — older editions will be rejected after the effective date.

USCIS Green Card I-485 Public Charge +2 more

Jul 15, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

New Gallup Poll: 73% of Americans Still See Immigration as a Good Thing, Even as Support Dips

Gallup polling released in July 2026 shows 73% of Americans view immigration positively — down from a record high but still historically strong, with the dip driven mainly by shifting Republican sentiment.

USCIS Policy Updates

Jul 14, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Court Orders DHS to Stop Using Force Against Journalists and Observers at Immigration Operations

A Los Angeles federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring DHS from using force against journalists, legal observers, and protesters documenting immigration enforcement operations in the Central District of California.

DHS Court Ruling Immigration Enforcement

Jul 13, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Lawsuit Alleges U.S. Shared Iranian Asylum Seekers' Confidential Files With Iran

A lawsuit filed July 7, 2026 by the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund and Public Citizen alleges ICE and the State Department shared confidential Iranian asylum-seeker records with Iran; ICE denies the claims.

Asylum ICE State Department Immigration Policy

Birthright Citizenship USCIS Policy Updates

DOJ Orders Prosecutors to Prioritize 'Birth Tourism' Cases After Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship

One day after the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a 5-4 ruling, the DOJ directed prosecutors to prioritize birth tourism cases using visa fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering charges.

H-1B PERM USCIS Policy Updates

Federal Government Launches Major H-1B and PERM Visa Fraud Crackdown

The Department of Labor's Inspector General, working with DHS, DOJ, and VP Vance's fraud task force, launched a major H-1B and PERM fraud investigation on July 8, 2026, issuing dozens of subpoenas.

TPS USCIS Work Authorization DHS

TPS Work Permits Extended at the Eleventh Hour for Haiti and Six Other Countries

The Trump administration extended TPS work permits for seven countries hours before a July 10 expiration, but DHS says the relief is temporary following the Supreme Court's June 25 ruling.

Birthright Citizenship Supreme Court Immigration Policy

Trump to Ask Supreme Court to Rehear Birthright Citizenship Case — A Long-Shot Bid

President Trump said on July 8 he will petition the Supreme Court to rehear its June 30 ruling upholding birthright citizenship — a move experts call a long shot, as the Court has not reheard an argued case since 1965.

USCIS H-1B Green Card Processing Times

USCIS Resumes Processing for Nationals of 39 Countries After Court Order

Following a federal court order, USCIS has resumed processing immigration applications for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries, unlocking long-delayed H-1B and I-140 approvals — though the government has appealed.

Jul 09, 2026 • Green Card • 2 min read

2026 EB-2 NIW and EB-1A RFE Trends: What Is Triggering Requests for Evidence Now

Immigration practitioners report 2026 USCIS RFE trends for EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions: boilerplate RFEs, cross-referencing across DS-160/ETA-9089 filings, experience-letter scrutiny, and premium-processing risks.

NIW EB-2 EB-1A USCIS

Jul 09, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship, Striking Down Trump Executive Order

The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on June 30, 2026 that children born in the U.S. to unlawfully or temporarily present parents are citizens at birth, striking down Executive Order 14160.

Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship USCIS Policy Updates

Jul 09, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

USCIS Proposes to Sharply Limit Discretionary Work Permits — One-Year Cap and New Denial Triggers

A USCIS proposed rule (91 FR 34352, June 5, 2026) would limit discretionary EADs for parolees, deferred-action recipients, and those under orders of supervision — capping validity at one year and adding new termination triggers. Comments due August 4, 2026.

USCIS Employment Authorization EAD Policy Updates

Jul 06, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Opens New Atlanta Asylum Office to Expand Interview Capacity

USCIS opens a new Atlanta Asylum Office on July 8, 2026, serving Georgia and Alabama with interviews at three locations until a permanent site opens in 2027.

USCIS Asylum Processing Times

Jul 03, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Court Vacates USCIS Benefits Freeze Affecting Applicants From 39 Countries

On June 5, 2026, a Rhode Island federal court vacated four USCIS policies that had frozen green card, work permit, naturalization, and asylum adjudications for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries, ordering nationwide relief.

USCIS Green Card Policy Updates

Jul 03, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Naturalization Hit Its Fastest Pace Since 2016 — Then a Filing Surge Pushed the N-400 Backlog Past 640,000

N-400 naturalization processing hit a median 5.7 months in FY2025 — the fastest since 2016 — but a fall 2025 filing surge pushed the backlog above 640,000 cases and lengthened average times to 7.9 months.

USCIS Processing Times

Jul 03, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Supreme Court Expands Border Authority Over Green Card Holders in Blanche v. Lau

The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Blanche v. Lau lets border officers treat returning green card holders as applicants for admission without clear-and-convincing proof of a crime.

Green Card USCIS

Jun 28, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Issues Urgent Notice to Clients of Disbarred Immigration Attorney Alexandra Lozano

USCIS is urging the roughly 35,000 former clients of disbarred attorney Alexandra Lozano to update their addresses and review filings, after she resigned from the Washington bar and was suspended from practice before DHS.

USCIS Immigration News Policy Updates

Jun 27, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Courts Lift Country-Based Suspensions on Green Card and Visa Processing

Federal courts ordered immigration agencies to lift nationality-based suspensions on green card and immigrant-visa adjudications, ruling the broad pauses unlawful.

USCIS Green Card Policy Updates

Jun 26, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Supreme Court Lets Trump End TPS for Haitians and Syrians, Clearing Path to Deportation

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 25, 2026 to let the Trump administration end Temporary Protected Status for about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, a precedent that could affect 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries.

TPS Supreme Court Deportation Immigration News

Jun 25, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Supreme Court Lets Trump End TPS Protections for Haitians and Syrians

In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration has unreviewable authority to end TPS for roughly 330,000 Haitians and 3,800 Syrians.

TPS Policy Updates USCIS

Appeals Court Clears Trump Administration to Expand Fast-Track Deportations Nationwide

The D.C. Circuit ruled 2-1 on June 23, 2026 to let the administration apply expedited removal nationwide to undocumented immigrants who cannot prove two years' continuous U.S. presence.

Policy Updates USCIS

Policy Updates NIW Green Card Processing Times

Data Shows Legal Immigration Falling Sharply in 2026 — What It Means for Skilled Applicants

Government data and Migration Policy Institute analysis show legal immigration falling sharply in 2026 — with fewer visas, halved student-visa issuance, and worsening delays reshaping the system.

H-1B Policy Updates USCIS

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100,000 H-1B Fee as an Unlawful Tax

A Massachusetts federal judge vacated the administration's $100,000 H-1B fee as an unauthorized tax, but a conflicting D.C. ruling means the issue is likely headed to appeals or the Supreme Court.

USCIS Processing Times NIW Green Card

USCIS Backlog Hits Record ~12 Million Cases as Processing Times Climb in 2026

USCIS closed FY2025 with a record backlog approaching 12 million cases, and 2026 processing times for I-130, I-129F, and I-90 have all risen — with the Ombudsman urging faster digitization.

Jun 17, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Beyond the Country Pause: Why Green Card Processing Has Slowed Across the Board

A r/USCIS discussion describes a broad slowdown in green card and consular processing tied to USCIS workforce losses and a shift toward enforcement — affecting applicants regardless of country.

USCIS Processing Times Green Card

NIW EB-2 USCIS Processing Times

Community NIW Tracker Shows ~29% Denial Rate for the Week of May 26, 2026

A crowd-sourced r/EB2_NIW tracker shows roughly 28% approvals and 29% denials among ~130 logged NIW cases for the week of May 26, 2026.

I-140 Premium Processing EB-2 Processing Times

I-140 Premium Processing in 2026: What Applicants Are Seeing on Timelines

A community compilation summarizes 2026 I-140 premium-processing timelines and trends, where the 15-business-day window speeds decisions but not the evidentiary standard.

NIW EB-2 USCIS Processing Times

NIW Applicants Report Tougher Adjudications in 2026 as Denial Rates Climb

EB-2 NIW applicants report stricter USCIS adjudications in 2026, with community-tracked denial rates of roughly 25-30% for premium-processing cases.