DHS announced that noncitizens who “self-deport” through the CBP Home App will receive forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the U.S. Currently, individuals can be fined nearly $1,000 per day if they do not depart after a final deportation order. This is in addition to the cost-free travel and $1,000 stipend that DHS has promised to those who “self-deport.”

USCIS has released an important update regarding the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for July 2025, in alignment with the Department of State’s July 2025 Visa Bulletin. For family-sponsored preference categories, applicants must refer to the Dates for Filing chart in the July 2025 Visa Bulletin. In contrast, for employment-based preference categories, USCIS has mandated the use of the Final Action Dates chart.

USCIS has issued an important update to Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, with a new edition dated 01/20/25. As of June 2, 2025, applicants may continue to use either the 03/09/23 edition or the 01/20/25 edition, provided the civil surgeon signs the form on or before July 2, 2025. However, beginning July 3, 2025, USCIS will only accept the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693. Applicants should check the edition date at the bottom of the form and its instructions to ensure compliance and avoid delays in processing their applications.

The Trump administration is offering $1,000 and paid travel for immigrants in the U.S. illegally who opt for “self-deportation.” By using the CBP Home app, migrants can inform authorities of their departure and avoid being prioritized for detention. Homeland Security describes it as a “cost-effective” alternative to arrest and deportation. Trump suggests that those who leave voluntarily may eventually have a chance to return legally. Critics argue the program is coercive and dehumanizing. One migrant has already taken up the offer.

A week after reinstating legal status for foreign students, immigration officials introduced a new policy granting ICE broad authority to revoke that status. The policy permits revocation based on vague claims of “noncompliance” or visa cancellation without evidence or judicial oversight. Critics argue it could lead to a fresh wave of deportations and undermine legal protections. Immigration lawyers say the policy reflects ICE’s efforts to expand its powers and bypass recent court rulings that protect international students.

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to approve its plan to revoke temporary legal status for over 400,000 Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan migrants, granted under a Biden-era program. A federal judge blocked the termination in April. Trump’s team argues the program undermines immigration enforcement, while critics warn mass termination would harm families, communities, and the economy. The Court has given plaintiffs until May 15 to respond.

The U.S. State Department announced the results of the 2026 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, or “green card lottery.” Of the millions who submitted their names in the lottery, only 55,000 individuals were selected to apply for U.S. permanent residency. The DV lottery offers a path to a green card for people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S.

President Trump has signed new executive orders ramping up immigration enforcement. One requires the public listing of “sanctuary cities” that don’t cooperate with federal immigration efforts and threatens legal action. Another mandate is for more stringent English proficiency rules for truck drivers. Supporters say the orders will improve public safety and restore accountability in local law enforcement. Critics say the measures are politically motivated and anti-immigrant. The crackdown comes just ahead of Trump’s 100th day in office, with deportations still lagging behind Biden-era numbers.

USCIS, in coordination with ICE and the State Department, helped dismantle a nationwide marriage fraud ring resulting in 10 arrests and multiple indictments. The investigation uncovered that U.S. citizens were paid to marry foreign nationals to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits. Key coordinators in New York City arranged the fake marriages and filed false documents. One recruiter targeted women in Baltimore and other areas. Immigration benefits for those involved have been revoked, and further arrests are expected.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has stopped accepting petitions for the 19,000 supplemental H-2B visas allocated to returning workers set to begin employment between April 1 and May 14, 2025. Any applications submitted after April 18 will be denied. These additional visas, commonly used in industries such as hospitality and construction, were part of a temporary increase to the standard annual limit. However, 20,000 H-2B visas are still available for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica — and prior H-2B employment is not required to apply.

House Republicans have introduced a new proposal that would charge certain immigrants $550 every six months to renew their work permits — part of a broader effort to fund immigration enforcement by dramatically increasing fees on legal immigration applications. The legislation, introduced by the House Judiciary Committee, would require asylum applicants, parolees, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to pay $550 to apply for an initial work permit (Form I-765) and $550 every six months to keep it valid.

Between April 6–12, ICE and federal partners arrested 206 illegal aliens in and around New York City during a targeted enforcement operation focused on dangerous criminal offenders. Of those arrested, 121 had serious criminal histories, including charges or convictions for murder, rape, assault, arson, and drug or firearms crimes. Several had gang affiliations, and two were foreign fugitives. ICE emphasized the importance of multi-agency collaboration, particularly in cases where local jurisdictions had released alien offenders despite immigration detainers.