Starting October 30, 2025, DHS will no longer grant automatic work permit extensions, previously allowing up to 540 extra days. The change may leave many temporarily unable to work. Applicants are advised to file renewals six months early to avoid interruptions.

CBP will soon photograph all non-U.S. citizens entering or leaving the country, including children under 14 and adults over 79. Photos link with passport data to verify identity. The system is expected at major airports within five years. Critics warn it increases government surveillance.

Governor JB Pritzker requested the Trump administration suspend immigration raids over Halloween to let children celebrate safely. In a letter to DHS, ICE, and CBP leaders, Pritzker condemned recent federal actions, including tear gas at a Halloween parade. DHS has not responded.

A federal grand jury in Chicago indicted six people, including Democratic candidate Kat Abughazaleh, for allegedly interfering with a federal agent during a September protest outside an ICE detention center. Alleged actions include blocking and damaging an agent’s vehicle. The indictments drew criticism from Illinois Democrats.

The Trump administration has set the refugee cap at 7,500 for 2025, down from 125,000 under Biden. Most admissions will prioritize White South Africans. Refugee advocates warn this undermines U.S. humanitarian commitments and leaves vetted applicants worldwide sidelined.

USCIS now allows applicants to pay immigration fees directly from U.S. bank accounts using Form G-1650. Starting October 28, payments must be via ACH debit or credit card using Form G-1450. The move modernizes payments, reduces fraud, and streamlines processing.

The Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging work authorization for H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders. The petition, led by Save Jobs USA, argued DHS lacked authority to grant such rights. The refusal keeps the Obama-era rule intact, allowing tens of thousands of H-4 spouses, many in tech, to continue working legally in the U.S.

Los Angeles County declared a state of emergency amid expanding ICE raids that have fueled fear and economic disruption. The 4–1 vote allows officials to fund rent aid, legal services, and other relief for immigrant families. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the measure ensures full county support for affected communities, as arrests of migrants without criminal records continue to rise.

The Trump administration revoked visas for six foreigners who criticized commentator Charlie Kirk online after his assassination. The State Department said it will continue reviewing visa holders who “celebrated” his death. This follows a wider crackdown on foreign students protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza and increased monitoring of visitors’ social media activity.

EB-1A filings rose fifty percent from last year, but approval rates dipped to sixty-seven percent, the lowest in three years. USCIS reports a sixty-seven percent rise in backlogs due to more evidence requests. Meanwhile, EB-2 NIW approvals dropped to fifty-four percent, while O-1 visas maintained a strong ninety percent approval rate, remaining a faster short-term option for skilled workers.

The November twenty twenty-five Visa Bulletin shows limited movement. In family-based categories, F-2A retrogressed by one month to October twenty twenty-five, while F-2B advanced two months to March twenty seventeen. Mexico’s F-3 moved forward two weeks to July two thousand one. All employment-based categories, from EB-1 to EB-5, remain unchanged from October.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the new one hundred thousand dollar H-1B visa fee. The case, filed in Washington, D.C., argues the policy exceeds presidential authority and would price out smaller employers. Business leaders warn it favors big corporations and harms innovation, citing studies showing skilled immigration boosts job growth nationwide.