July 2026 » ImmigrationUSA

denaturalization

Increase In Denaturalization Operations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) expanded its denaturalization operations. According to USA Today, the department wants two hundred and fifty denaturalization cases by October 2026. As of July 22, its filed roughly eighty-nine cases since the start of the current administration. This is four times what the Biden administration reached

July 30, 2026

asylum claim

DHS Proposes Asylum System Changes

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a rule change to the asylum system. The interim final rule lets USCIS refer certain affirmative asylum applications directly to Immigration Judges without interviewing the applicant first. It applies mainly to cases that appear barred or

July 30, 2026

State Dept.

Visa Denials Due to Social Media Work Halted

A federal judge paused the State Department (DOS) policy letting consular officers deny, revoke, or terminate visas based on a noncitizen’s work history in social media. On July 14, 2026, Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia stayed the decision of Coalition

July 27, 2026

Department of State

Some Green Card Applicants Potentially Face $10,000 Bond

The U.S. government considered a potentially $100,000 for certain green card applicants applying from outside the United States. The Wall Street Journal reported the bond as refundable, though applicants likely wouldn’t see the money back until they naturalize. Naturalization typically takes at least five years after receiving a green card.

July 27, 2026

DHS

New Visa Rule Endangers Status of International Students

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized an immigration rule imperiling the status international students studying in the U.S. The rule changes the duration of status for F-1 and J-1 visa holders to a fixed four-year period. Students must file for an extension of status to keep working on Optional

July 23, 2026

DHS

Visa Admission Periods Finalized by DHS

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule changing visa admission periods for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa media representatives. The rule replaces the longstanding “duration of status” (D/S) framework with fixed admission periods and requires eligible individuals to file an Extension of Stay (EOS)

July 23, 2026

family-based immigration

Visa Bulletin for August 2026

The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2026 visa bulletin. The Visa Bulletin details the availability of immigrant visas for consular processing and adjustment of status applications for August 2026. The bulletin includes both the Final Action Dates and the Dates for Filing for employment-based and Family-Based immigrant

July 23, 2026

Birthright Citizenship

Government Urges Rehearing of Birthright Citizenship Case

The U.S. government asked the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) for a rehearing of the birthright citizenship decision. According to the New York Times, the government declared its frustration with the decision on June 30, 2026. Later, the President posted on Truth Social a desire for a rehearing

July 16, 2026

ICE

Increase of ICE Arrest Rates

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested ten thousand people over a five day time-span in late June, 2026. According to AP News, the rise arrest rates represent a major push from the agency. The tally works out to roughly two thousand arrests per day during that period. The surge follows

July 16, 2026

DHS

Less Green Card Holders Pursuing Citizenship

Traditionally, getting a green card is just a step on the pathway to U.S. citizenship. However, increasingly strict immigration standards make that final leap harder for hopeful U.S. citizens. According to Newsweek, some green card holders postpone their citizenship applications due to a combination of higher fees and uncertainty around

July 14, 2026