USCIS will start checking all green card, work visa, and citizenship applicants for signs of “anti-Americanism” or antisemitism. The policy offers no clear definition of these terms, giving officers wide discretion. Experts warn this could create uncertainty for families and workers trying to follow all rules carefully.

The Trump administration has changed the latest U.S. Human Rights Report to downplay problems in allied countries like Israel and El Salvador while focusing criticism on the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Mentions of LGBTQ+ rights and Gaza’s crisis were mostly removed. Critics say the edits make the report political.

The Trump administration has changed the latest U.S. Human Rights Report to downplay problems in allied countries like Israel and El Salvador while focusing criticism on the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Mentions of LGBTQ+ rights and Gaza’s crisis were mostly removed. Critics say the edits make the report political.

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin keeps most green card wait times unchanged. F-2A moved forward two months for all countries and the Philippines’ F-3 advanced five months. All employment-based categories remain the same, with EB-4 still closed until the new fiscal year begins. Other categories showed no movement this month.

From August 15, 2025, USCIS will use only the stricter “Final Action Dates” chart to decide a child’s age under the Child Status Protection Act. This change replaces the “Dates for Filing” chart and will cause more young immigrants to lose child status after turning 21. Applications filed earlier remain under old rules.

The Trump administration is preparing changes to the H-1B visa program to prioritize higher-paid foreign workers over others. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the program should support, not replace, the U.S. workforce. The administration also plans to make the U.S. citizenship test more difficult, arguing the current version is too easy. Both changes are part of a broader push to tighten immigration requirements.

The U.S. has proposed a new rule requiring Diversity Visa applicants to upload a scan of a valid, unexpired passport when entering the 2026 lottery. The scan must include the photo and signature page. Exceptions will be rare. Entries without a passport scan would be disqualified. Officials say the move will help reduce fraud. The public has 45 days to comment, and if approved, the rule will take effect this fall.

A new pilot program will require some business and tourist visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 before entering the U.S. The rule targets travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates, starting with Malawi and Zambia. Bonds will be returned only if visitors leave on time. Critics warn the program could block low-income travelers, affect family visits, and add costs for businesses.

Starting August 1, USCIS officers can deny family-based green card petitions without asking for missing documents or giving applicants a warning. The change puts undocumented applicants and those without legal help at greater risk of denial and even deportation. Immigration lawyers say petitions must now be complete, accurate, and well-documented from the start, as applicants may not get another chance to fix mistakes.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York has released its 2025 Great Immigrants, Great Americans list, recognizing 20 immigrants for their outstanding contributions to the United States. This year’s honorees include public health advocate Sandra Leisa Lindsay, business leader Michele Kang, tech entrepreneur Tope Awotona, Nobel Prize winner Moungi Bawendi, and composer Tania León. The list highlights achievements across fields like science, health, business, and the arts.

USCIS has announced new fees for certain immigration benefit requests, effective July 22, 2025, based on the H.R. 1 law. The changes include a $50 fee for asylum applications and a $600 fee for employment-based petitions. These fees cannot be waived or reduced. Forms postmarked after August 21 without the required payment will be rejected.

A new Gallup poll shows that 79 percent of Americans now see immigration as a good thing, marking the highest level of support in 25 years. Support has grown across political groups as well, including Republicans and independents. The number of Republicans who want less immigration has dropped from 88 percent to 48 percent. Most Americans now support giving undocumented immigrants a chance to become citizens. These findings challenge Trump’s tough deportation agenda.