Immigration Law

USCIS Implements New Immigration Parole Fee

USCIS has issued policy guidance implementing a new immigration parole fee, as established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This fee applies to all aliens paroled into the United States on or after October 16, 2025, unless an exception applies.

USCIS Rescinds Expedited Naturalization for Certain SSI Beneficiaries

USCIS has rescinded its policy guidance for expedited naturalization processing for certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. This change impacts individuals who were previously eligible for expedited processing under a settlement agreement related to the Kaplan v. Chertoff case.

USCIS Updates EAD Validity Periods for Certain Categories

USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect changes in Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity periods for specific categories, as mandated by recent legislation. These changes apply to pending or newly filed requests on or after July 22, 2025.

US Sanctions Rwandan Officials for Violating Washington Accords

The United States has sanctioned the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) and four senior RDF officers for their support of the M23 movement in the DRC, violating the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. This action, taken under Executive Order 13413, demonstrates U.S. resolve to uphold regional stability.

USCIS Updates VAWA Program Integrity Guidance

USCIS has updated its Policy Manual guidance for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program to restore program integrity and combat fraud. The changes clarify eligibility requirements and evidence expectations for self-petitioners, particularly in response to increased filings from non-traditional demographics and recent fraud convictions.

DHS, DOJ Rule on Asylum Eligibility for Security and Health Risks

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have issued a final rule, effective December 31, 2025, that withdraws certain outdated amendments from a 2020 rule. This action retains the ability to consider public health risks as a security bar to asylum and withholding of removal during public health emergencies.

USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees Due to Inflation

USCIS is increasing fees for premium processing services to account for inflation, as authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act. The new fees, effective March 1, 2026, will help fund adjudication and naturalization services. Specific fee increases are detailed for various petition and application types.

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Period and New Selection Process

USCIS announced the FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period will be from March 4 to March 19, 2026. A new final rule implements a weighted selection process prioritizing higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens to protect American workers' wages and job opportunities.

H-2B Visa Cap Reached for Returning Workers FY 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the cap has been reached for the first allocation of returning worker H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2026. The agency received more petitions than available visas and used a random selection process for petitions received between February 2 and February 6, 2026.

USCIS Policy Update for VAWA Self-Petitioners

USCIS has updated its Policy Manual with new guidance for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners. The update clarifies eligibility requirements, evidence expectations, and adjudication standards, aiming to streamline the process and reduce RFEs. This guidance is effective immediately.