Wealthy Americans now make up about 40 percent of applicants for New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa. New rules introduced in April 2025 lowered investment minimums and removed English language requirements. Since then, applications have increased sharply, with most investors choosing the higher value growth investment category. Interest is also rising from China and Hong Kong.

A partial shutdown has started because lawmakers could not agree on DHS funding. Even though the political fight is about immigration, most immigration services are still running. USCIS remains open because it is fee funded, and visa processing, LCAs, and border inspections continue. Employers can keep filing as usual. Longer delays are possible only if the shutdown lasts for a long time.

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin brings a major shift for EB-2 applicants. Dates for Filing will become current for all countries except India and China. E-B2 India will move ahead by 11 months. USCIS confirmed it will accept employment based adjustment of status applications next month for anyone with a priority date earlier than the Dates for Filing chart. Other employment based categories will either move slightly or stay the same.

Representative Greg Steube introduced the EXILE Act, which seeks to fully eliminate the H-1B program. He argues that it harms American workers and cites cases at companies such as Disney, FedEx, Microsoft, and Southern California Edison where US workers were replaced. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to end the H-1B category.

At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, ICE Chief Todd Lyons, former CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, and USCIS official Joseph Edlow defended the administration’s approach to mass deportation. Republicans backed the strategy while Democrats raised concerns over recent agent involved shootings and warned that DHS funding could face pushback without reforms.

USCIS reached the cap for the additional 18490 H-2B visas for returning workers. Because it received more petitions than available visas, the agency used a random selection on February 13. Premium processing began after the lottery.

A bipartisan group of 100 lawmakers is asking DHS to remove the health care sector from the new 100000 dollar H-1B fee. They warn that the fee will worsen severe staffing shortages, especially in medically underserved areas. DHS has the power to issue exemptions but has not announced any decision yet.

A new YouGov–Economist poll shows rising public support for immigration. According to the survey, 46% of Americans now say immigrants make the United States better off, which is a 15-point increase since early 2025. At the same time, 50% of respondents believe that Trump’s immigration approach is too harsh, indicating a noticeable shift in national sentiment.

A federal judge has halted the administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. The court ruled that DHS did not provide adequate justification for ending the program, allowing deportation protections and work authorization to remain in place while the case moves forward. DHS has announced plans to appeal the decision.

Labor groups and immigration scholars have filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s “Gold Card” visa program, arguing that it creates a pay-to-play pathway for wealthy applicants. The program provides fast-tracked immigration for individuals paying more than $1 million, which critics say diverts EB-1 and EB-2 visa numbers away from scientists and skilled workers. The administration defends the policy as a way to increase revenue and attract global talent, while opponents argue that the EB-5 program already addresses investment-based immigration.

Border encounters fell to 237,500 in Fiscal Year 2025, marking the lowest level in more than 50 years. The decline comes amid tougher enforcement measures in both Mexico and the United States, including stricter asylum rules under President Biden and expanded enforcement after Trump returned to office.

ICE agents will support U.S. security efforts during the Winter Olympics in Italy. Some Italian leaders criticized the move, emphasizing that Italy will lead and control all Olympic security. U.S. agencies will operate from a consulate-based coordination center in Milan.