July 2025 » ImmigrationUSA

DACA

DACA Self-Deportation Encouraged

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is encouraging self-deportation for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This is the latest in ongoing reviews of the program which began shortly after the program was announced in 2012. The program solely offers temporary protection from detainment and removal

July 31, 2025

DHS

New Visa Fee Announced for Nonimmigrant Travelers

A new ‘visa integrity fee’ adds a $250 cost for nonimmigrants entering the United States. The new visa fee applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders from specific countries. Travelers will pay the new fee in addition to existing visa fees. There’s no information regarding when the new fee goes into

July 30, 2025

Employment Immigration

Alert: NTAs Issued for H-1B Holders

In a recent and troubling development for foreign professionals, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing Notices to Appear (NTAs) to certain H-1B visa holders after their status has been revoked or terminated. This is a significant change from the agency’s prior approach, where individuals in such situations were

July 29, 2025

Customs Border Protection

Alien Registration Documentation Reminder

Individuals over eighteen years of age need to keep their alien registration documents with them, per a CBP announcement. Green card holders over the age of thirteen are required to enter their information into the alien registration database. Not having the proper documentation will result in fines. This policy has

July 29, 2025

Birthright Citizenship

Birthright Citizenship Enforcement Block Upheld by Circuit Court

The judicial block on the birthright citizenship order will remain, per a Ninth Circuit Court panel decision. The panel found the executive order limiting birthright citizenship goes against the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The lower court originated from litigation filed against the government by four states. Legal challenges

July 29, 2025

Employment Based Immigration

H-1B Selection Process Change

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a proposed rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (a division of the Office of Management and Budget) that would replace the current H-1B lottery system with a weighted selection process. This regulatory development could have significant implications for U.S. employers,

July 24, 2025

DHS

ICE Gains Access to Medicaid Database

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents now have access to the personal data of people enrolled in Medicaid. This includes home address and ethnicity. ICE hopes having this information will help track down undocumented individuals. Access to the personal data of Medicaid’s nearly seventy-nine million enrolled beneficiaries represent is the

July 23, 2025

migrant children

Child Immigrant Protections Policy Termination Source of Lawsuit

Child immigrant protections beneficiaries are suing USCIS for terminating a protections policy. The specific policy it terminated, Special Immigrant Juvenile status (SIJ), gave removal protections to children that fled mistreatment from their parents. The suit’s plaintiffs argue USCIS terminated the protections too quickly and without any warning. The suit came

July 22, 2025

FY2026 H-1B Cap

FY2026 H-1B Cap Filled

Per a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) announcement, the FY2026 H-1B cap limit has been reached. No further processing is expected. The congressionally mandated limit has been reached. The agency continues to process H-1B petitions that don’t count against the cap. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa allowing

July 21, 2025

RFE

USCIS Rejections Rising Due to Signature Issues

USCIS rejections are increasing, per a report from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The basis for rejections is an invalid signature when using digital signing. This is despite no rules against digital signatures being implemented. However, there are no policies limiting the use of digital signatures. Some rejected applicants

July 17, 2025