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.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s immigration approval has dropped to a record low since his return to office. Only 39% of Americans approve of his immigration policies, while 53% disapprove. Many respondents feel enforcement tactics, including ICE actions, have gone too far.

USCIS announced that the initial registration for the FY 2027 H-1B cap will run from March 4 to March 19, 2026. Employers must register electronically using a USCIS account and pay a $215 fee. This year, the selection process will prioritize higher-skilled, higher-paid candidates. If registrations exceed the cap, a weighted selection will be used. Selected petitioners may also need to pay an additional $100,000 fee before filing.

The U.S. District Court for Nebraska ruled that USCIS’s two-step adjudication process for EB‑1A petitions, including the “final merits determination,” was not validly created and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures. The court stressed it was reviewing the legality of the framework, not the merits of the petitioner’s case.

A federal judge has allowed DHS to require members of Congress to give seven days’ notice before inspecting immigration detention facilities. Lawmakers argue the rule limits oversight, while DHS says it is necessary for security and coordination.

An internal ICE memo revealed that officers may enter homes using administrative warrants, without approval from a judge, in cases involving final removal orders. The guidance has raised serious legal and civil rights concerns, with critics warning it weakens constitutional protections.

Applications for the EB-1A extraordinary-ability green card have tripled over the past four years. Highly skilled workers are increasingly using this route to avoid the H-1B lottery and long green card backlogs, especially for applicants from India and China.