March 2026 » ImmigrationUSA

Board of Immigration Appeals

Circuit Court Voids BIA Validity of Evidence Decision

The First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The Court explained the BIA failed to consider witness testimony and documentary evidence regarding a noncitizen’s asylum applications. The decision reinforces the importance of the BIA to consider all available evidence before making an

March 6, 2026

H-1B Cap

USCIS Updates Form I-129 ahead of H-1B Registration

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated Form I-129 before the start of the FY2027 H-1B Cap registration period. Form I-129 is the petition to register sponsorship for foreign workers, an important part of the H-1B application process. USCIS will keep accepting previous versions of the I-129 until April

March 6, 2026

immigration courts

Third Country Removals Ruled Unlawful

A federal judge ruled that the government’s policy of third country removals is unlawful. This means the government can’t arbitrarily remove individuals to countries outside their country of origin. The ruling blocks a policy the government used to expedite removal operations. Ruling Details The government cannot legally initiate a third

March 5, 2026

DHS

Block Against Unannounced ICE Site Visits Lifted

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can’t bar lawmakers from visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment facilities unannounced. The ruling blocks a DHS policy requiring lawmakers requiring Congress members give a notice at least one week prior. This means ICE and DHS officials can’t impede site visits even if

March 4, 2026

USCIS

FY2027 H-1B Cap Registration Period Begins

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the initial H-1B registration period for the 2027 fiscal year. Registration opens at noon eastern standard time (EST) on March 4 and lasts until noon EST on March 19, 2026. Prospective petitioners and representatives can only register via a USCIS online account. Registration

March 4, 2026

Department of State

DOS Public Charge Policy Notice

The Department of State (DOS) will deny visa applicants considered too reliant on public benefits. The announcement signals a reversal of a previously lax approach towards enforcing the public charge rule. Enforcing the rule is part of a larger government effort prioritizing individuals that are self-sufficient, per the DOS. Public

March 4, 2026

DOJ

DOJ Issues Immigrant Benefits Eligibility Housing Notice

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that immigration benefits eligibility rules apply to public housing. The decision means noncitizen applicants for federal housing benefits must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Professional Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996. Individuals that don’t satisfy these requirements cannot take advantage

March 4, 2026

asylum claim

DHS Proposes New Asylum Screening Rule

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a rule strengthening asylum screening procedures. The proposed changes would help immigration officials identify fraudulent asylum applications more easily. Additionally, the new rule helps immigration agents better support the government’s executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion”. Proposed overhauls specifically affect applications

March 3, 2026

DHS

Yemen TPS Designation Terminated

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated the temporary protected status (TPS) designation for Yemen. The Yemen TPS designation expires on March 3, 2026. A forthcoming federal register notice will give further information in the coming days. Yemen initially received a TPS designation in September 2015. The TPS designation was

March 2, 2026

USCIS

Reminder: USCIS Premium Processing Fees Increased

The new H-1B premium processing fees for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is effective as of March 1, 2026. The new fees reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 through June 2025. Fees will continue to be adjusted agency wide to account for inflation and protect the real

March 2, 2026