Month: January 2026

B-1

Visa Bond Program Expanded

The government increased the number of countries covered by the visa bond program from six to thirteen. This means residents from these countries must pay a five to fifteen-thousand-dollar reimbursable bond when applying for a U.S. visitor visa. The expansion went into effect on January 1, 2026. Introduced by the

January 6, 2026

H-1B

H-1B Fee Lawsuit Appeal Granted

A D.C. Circuit court fast-tracked the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s (COC) appeal against the result of its H-1B fee lawsuit. The lawsuit initially concluded that establishing new $100,000 H-1B entry fee was well within the government’s authority. The COC must file their appeal by January 9, 2026. The order comes

January 6, 2026

Asylum Seeker

Asylum Seekers’ Cases Asked to be Summarily Dismissed by DHS

Courts are being asked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to summarily dismiss asylum claims and send migrants to pursue options in third countries. The safe third country agreement, created by the Trump administration, is a network of countries who have agreed to take U.S. asylum seekers. Included in

January 5, 2026

H-1B visa

H-1B $100,000 Fee Challenge Denied

A federal judge ruled the $100,000 H-1B fee for visa workers does not exceed presidential authority. The challenge, filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, argued the fee is a violation of federal immigration statue and exceeds the authority of the president. Employers and foreign nationals interested in the H-1B

January 5, 2026

Asylum

Asylum Seekers Considered Security Threats or Public Health Risks to be Barred

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Federal Register notice clarifying when immigrants are not eligible for asylum or withholding of removal. Published along with the Department of Justice (DOC), the Security Bars and Processing final rule, updated on December 29, 2025, is effective December 31, 2025. The rule

January 5, 2026

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