March 2026 » Page 2 of 3 » ImmigrationUSA

CBP

DHS Establishes Immigration Enforcement Network

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies have built an extensive enforcement network for immigration agencies over the course of the past year. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) particularly contributed to both its construction. Said network helps authorities locate, track, and detain undocumented migrants in the field. For the past year,

March 14, 2026

DOJ

DOJ Hires Immigration Judges with Enforcement Backgrounds

The Department of Justice (DOJ) hired forty-two new immigration judges to fill the void left by previously dismissed ones. The replacements all have backgrounds in immigration enforcement, not the judiciary. Such a move helps the judiciary align with the government’s stricter immigration goals. Justification The government explained removing and replacing

March 14, 2026

Diversity Visa

New Diversity Visa Rule

The State Department (DOS) published a amendments to the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV program). These changes begin on April 10, 2026. DV program processing resumes afterward. Amendment Details Key changes to the DV program include mandating applicants submit their current passport information via electronic entry form. Individuals that can’t

March 12, 2026

CBP

Global Entry Program Processing Resumes

The Global Entry Program is active again as of March 11, 2026. This is despite the ongoing partial Department Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, which is currently into its’ fourth week. The shutdown happened because Congress couldn’t pass a new DHS budget before the end of the previous financial year. Importance

March 11, 2026

Board of Immigration Appeals

Automatic Dismissal of Immigration Appeals Cases Blocked

A federal judge blocked the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) new rule giving the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) the power to dismiss appeals cases automatically. The ruling blocks a major aspect of the DOJ’s plan to expedite immigration removals. The block came a day before the DOJ’s rule would go

March 9, 2026

Employment Immigration

Few Employers Pay the New H-1B Fee

From its announcement to the start of the new H-1B registration period, only about seventy employers paid the new one-hundred-thousand-dollar H-1B fee. The low number of payments undermines the government’s argument that the fee would generate significant revenue for the federal government. Importantly, these numbers don’t include FY2027 H-1B registration.

March 9, 2026

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