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.

USCIS has updated its policy for VAWA self-petitioners after a major increase in filings and fraud concerns. The new guidance clarifies eligibility, requires stronger proof of a real marriage and shared residence with the abuser, and allows USCIS to closely review the credibility of evidence. The changes aim to protect genuine survivors while stopping fraudulent claims.

DHS is changing the H-1B work visa selection process so that workers with higher salaries and stronger qualifications will be given priority. This replaces the random lottery system. The goal is to stop misuse of the program, protect U.S. wages, and encourage employers to hire highly skilled workers.

USCIS has tightened its rules, now allowing biometric photos to be reused only if they are less than three years old. Applicants with older photos must attend a new appointment. This change replaces previous flexible policies, meaning more people will need fresh biometrics.

The Trump administration plans a major increase in cases to strip naturalized Americans of citizenship. USCIS has been directed to refer over 100 potential cases per month—a massive jump from the historical average. The effort targets alleged fraud in the naturalization process.

President Trump has doubled the U.S. travel ban from 19 to 39 countries, effective January 1, 2026. The expansion adds full bans for travelers using Palestinian Authority documents and includes many new African and Caribbean nations, citing security vetting concerns.

The State Department has released the January 2026 Visa Bulletin. Family-based categories for Mexico advanced significantly. On the employment side, EB-5 India jumped two years, and China’s EB-3 “Other Workers” category gained a full year. Most other categories saw minimal movement.