From October 16, 2025, Diversity Visa applicants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee. Officials estimate about $25 million in annual revenue. The fee is small but may deter some low income applicants.

Top U.S. firms, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple, increased H-1B approvals this year. Amazon alone rose from 9,257 in 2024 to 10,044 in 2025, showing persistent demand for skilled foreign workers.

The Supreme Court allows agents in Los Angeles to stop and detain people based on appearance, language, or work type. Critics warn this could unfairly target Latinos and even U.S. citizens.

More than 300 South Korean workers detained at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will soon be flown home. The raid involved 475 people, mostly subcontractors, and raised diplomatic concerns.

USCIS officers may consider “anti-American” views when reviewing green cards and other cases. Director Joseph Edlow stressed it targets terrorism, while new H-1B rules and stricter citizenship tests are also under review.

The State Department now requires nonimmigrant visa applicants to attend interviews in their country of nationality or residence. This affects work, student, and tourist visas, but not diplomats. Existing appointments generally remain valid.

The EB-2 visa quota for this fiscal year is full. Pending applicants can still file if current under the September Visa Bulletin, but final approvals will wait until October 1.

The Pentagon plans to send 600 military lawyers as temporary immigration judges to tackle the 3.5 million-case backlog. Critics worry they lack enough immigration law experience.

Temporary Protected Status for about 270,000 Venezuelans will end September 10, 2025. Migrants may self-deport with a CBP app or risk deportation if they don’t have other legal status.

Federal agents detained 475 workers at a Hyundai-LG plant in Georgia for working illegally. Most were subcontractors from South Korea, which raised diplomatic concerns and paused construction.

USCIS officers can now investigate, arrest, carry firearms, and speed up removals under a new rule. The goal is to prevent fraud and work better with law enforcement.

Starting November 1, immigrant visa applicants will need to attend interviews in their country of residence or nationality. Only rare medical or humanitarian cases may get exceptions. This applies to all visa types.