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.

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.