The State Department finalized new anti-fraud rules for the Diversity Visa program. Starting with the DV 2028 lottery, applicants must upload a valid passport when submitting their entry. Applications without a passport scan will be automatically disqualified. The rule also introduces stronger screening to detect duplicate or manipulated entries.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a plan to change how migrants appeal immigration court decisions. The rule would have dismissed most appeals unless the Board of Immigration Appeals acted within 10 days. Judge Randolph Moss ruled the administration did not follow required public rulemaking procedures. The decision pauses the policy for now.

The United States plans to process up to 4,500 refugee applications per month from white South Africans. A State Department contracting document outlines plans for temporary processing facilities at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria. President Trump has argued Afrikaners face persecution, a claim rejected by the South African government. The planned processing volume could exceed the administration’s refugee admissions target for fiscal year 2026.

The FY 2027 H-1B cap season is underway, with electronic registrations open from March 4 to March 19. USCIS will continue using the beneficiary centric selection system, meaning each worker can only be entered once. This year also introduces a wage weighted system that gives higher paid roles more entries based on prevailing wage levels. Employers selected in the lottery will have a 90 day window starting April 1 to submit full petitions.

Only about 70 employers have paid the $100,000 fee required to hire H-1B workers from outside the United States. A government attorney revealed the number during a federal court hearing. The fee, introduced through a presidential proclamation, faces legal challenges from businesses that say it blocks smaller employers from using the visa program.

President Trump has dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after intense congressional scrutiny over a $220 million government advertising campaign. Trump announced that Senator Markwayne Mullin will replace her. Noem will instead serve as a special envoy for the Shield of the Americas initiative. She is the first cabinet official removed during Trump’s second term.

The State Department issued a Worldwide Caution advising Americans to exercise increased vigilance when traveling abroad. Officials warned that rising tensions and recent military operations could quickly affect security conditions and disrupt flights or airspace access. Travelers are encouraged to monitor updates from U.S. embassies and consulates.

Rising military tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran are disrupting visa services across parts of the Middle East. Several U.S. embassies have canceled routine visa appointments. Airspace closures and suspended flights are also limiting travel. In some locations, U.S. diplomatic staff have been directed to shelter in place. The State Department has advised Americans to leave affected areas using commercial flights while they remain available.

DHS released a proposed rule that would stop accepting EAD applications during periods when processing averages exceed 180 days. The waiting period to apply would increase to 365 days. New processing time rules and eligibility standards would also be introduced. Public comments are open until April 24, 2026.

A DOL proposal to revise wage rules for H1B and PERM has passed OMB review. Details are not yet public, but the rule could raise prevailing wage levels for H1B workers and employment based green card applicants. It must still go through public comments and final rulemaking, a process that may take months.

The U.S. Embassy will begin offering passport services in Efrat, with similar pop ups planned in Beitar Illit. The Embassy says policy remains unchanged, but Israeli and Palestinian leaders called the move significant. Right wing Israeli groups praised it, while critics said it signals support for settlements viewed as illegal under international law.

President Trump emphasized border security and removals of undocumented immigrants, saying crossings have dropped sharply and recent releases into the United States have stopped. CBP data confirms a notable decline in southern border encounters. Trump also highlighted drug interdiction efforts, though experts say seizures do not reflect the full volume of drugs entering the country.