The Trump administration will pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21. The suspension applies to family and employment based immigrant visas processed abroad, but does not affect tourist, student, or business visas. The State Department says the pause will stay in place while screening procedures are reviewed, with no restart date announced.

More than 300 federal judges have rejected the Trump administration’s expanded mandatory detention policy, ordering bond hearings or releases in over 1,600 cases. Courts cited due process concerns and unlawful prolonged detention, though the policy remains in effect nationwide because challenges are being handled case by case.

The San Francisco Immigration Court is expected to close by January 2027 after most of its judges retired or were removed, leaving only four out of the original 21. Hearings will be shifted to the Concord court, raising concerns about longer delays and limited access to asylum as the backlog already exceeds 120,000 cases.

DHS and USCIS have launched Operation PARRIS in Minnesota to reexamine thousands of refugee cases through enhanced vetting and background checks. The review initially targets about 5,600 refugees who have not yet obtained green cards. Cases involving suspected fraud or criminal activity may be referred to ICE as part of broader national security enforcement efforts.

DHS has issued a final rule increasing USCIS premium processing fees to reflect inflation from June 2023 to June 2025. The new fees take effect March 1, 2026, and must be included with any premium processing request filed on or after that date. USCIS says the increase will help maintain faster processing times and support other services such as naturalization and case adjudications.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule creating a weighted selection process for H-1B visas that prioritizes higher-paid workers. Effective February 27, 2026, and applying to FY 2027 filings, the rule aims to strengthen program integrity and better protect U.S. wages and job opportunities.

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has reminded employers that H-2B applications for work starting April 1, 2026 or later may only be filed beginning January 1, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Any filings submitted early will be denied, and applications filed January 1 to 3 will be randomly ordered for processing under federal procedures.

The Trump administration is advancing plans to restrict asylum by dismissing more cases without hearings and requiring migrants to seek asylum in third countries such as Honduras and Ecuador. Supporters say this will reduce backlogs and stop asylum abuse, while critics argue it weakens protections for vulnerable migrants.

Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna has proposed introducing a bill that would temporarily pause most immigration to the U.S., including green cards and new visas, to review the current immigration system. The proposal follows similar efforts from other lawmakers and has drawn criticism from immigration advocates, who warn it could harm legal immigrants and disproportionately affect Muslim- and African-majority countries.

USCIS issued new guidance on confidentiality protections under federal law for victims applying for VAWA, T, and U visas. The update explains how USCIS evaluates information such as criminal history and when protections end, including after naturalization. The policy is effective immediately.

A federal court ruled in favor of DHS and the State Department in a lawsuit challenging the $100,000 fee and limits on H-1B visas. The court found that the President acted within his legal authority. This means the fee and visa restrictions will remain in place.

In 2025, USCIS increased national security vetting, created a new vetting center, and reviewed petitions from high-risk countries. The agency also issued nearly 200,000 Notices to Appear and launched major fraud investigations. The administration says these actions protect national security and ensure only eligible applicants receive immigration benefits.