The Trump administration is closing “Safe Mobility Initiative” offices in Latin America, set up by Biden to offer legal immigration options and reduce illegal border crossings. Located in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guatemala, these offices allowed migrants to apply for legal U.S. entry. The shutdown is part of a broader effort to reassess U.S. migration policies and align them with national interests, and follows President Trump’s executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

The U.S. Department of State offers Special Passport Acceptance Fairs for first-time applicants and children applying in person using Form DS-11. Adults eligible to renew with Form DS-82 can apply online or by mail anytime. These events are held on evenings and weekends, with an updated list of events available monthly. Facilities offer routine and expedited service but do not issue passports directly, mailing applications to the Department of State. For urgent travel within two weeks, appointments can be made at one of 26 passport agencies or centers.

Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS announced it will no longer require adjustment of status applicants to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. USCIS will not issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), or deny applications solely due to the absence of COVID-19 vaccination documentation. This policy applies to all adjustment of status cases moving forward.

On January 23, a federal judge temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, labeling the policy as “blatantly unconstitutional.” The order, which seeks to revoke automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents, has sparked numerous lawsuits nationwide. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, appointed by Ronald Reagan, oversaw the initial hearing in a lawsuit spanning four states that challenges the executive order.

DHS announced a final rule effective Jan. 13, 2025, permanently increasing the automatic extension period for certain EAD renewals from 180 to 540 days for eligible noncitizens with timely filed applications. This change reduces employment gaps, supports U.S. businesses, and strengthens the economy. The rule aligns with USCIS’s efforts to reduce EAD processing times, streamline adjudication, and enhance workforce stability, benefiting both employers and eligible workers. It applies retroactively to renewal applications filed on or after May 4, 2022.

The House passed a bill aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants charged with nonviolent crimes, garnering bipartisan support (264-159). Named after Laken Riley, a nursing student killed by an undocumented migrant previously charged with shoplifting, the legislation broadens the range of offenses that can result in detention and deportation. Some Democrats, responding to political shifts, have supported the bill, emphasizing the need for measures to tackle immigration issues.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new guide for implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in U.S. immigration services. The playbook details how AI will enhance processing efficiency across seven critical areas, such as AI development, partnerships, and safeguards. However, with an upcoming political transition, the future of these initiatives remains uncertain, potentially impacting immigrants, employers, and families.

USCIS released a revised Form I-485 on Dec. 10, 2024, with updates effective from Feb. 10, 2025, requiring the new edition. Key changes include mandating Form I-693 submission with Form I-485 when applicable, integrating Form I-864W exemptions into Form I-485, clarifying questions on public charge inadmissibility, and streamlining instructions to reduce applicant burden. Form I-864W is discontinued.

As of December 16, 2024, asylum seekers in immigration court no longer need to mail the first three pages of Form I-589 to USCIS. DHS will reuse previously captured biometrics for most applicants, scheduling appointments only when necessary. USCIS will identify individuals requiring biometrics via EOIR data and notify them through appointment notices sent to the address on file.

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State updated the Exchange Visitor Skills List, affecting the two-year home country residency rule for J visa holders under INA 212(e). Visitors whose countries are no longer on the list are exempt unless funded by governments or in U.S. graduate medical training. Pending DS-3035 applications will be reviewed, and affected applicants will be notified.

USCIS will release a revised Form G-325A on January 6, 2025, with the edition date 10/24/24. Starting February 5, 2025, only this edition will be accepted. Updates include options to request employment authorization and a Social Security number directly on the form. Noncitizens must pay the Form I-765 fee or request a fee waiver, with no refunds for denied deferred action requests. The form now includes space to explain requests, removing the need for a separate written statement.

USCIS will release a revised Form I-129 on January 17, 2025, incorporating updates from the H-1B and H-2 modernization rules. The new 01/17/25 edition will replace the 04/01/24 version, with no grace period for transitioning. Petitions using the 04/01/24 edition will be rejected starting January 17, 2025. A preview of the updated form and instructions is available, but submissions using the new edition will only be accepted on or after the effective date.