The USCIS will raise premium processing fees starting March 1, 2026, to account for inflation, with the additional revenue used to improve adjudication services and address backlogs, as part of a DHS rule adjustment based on the USCIS Stabilization Act.
The Department of Homeland Security and USCIS have launched Operation PARRIS in Minnesota to reexamine refugee cases through enhanced background checks and verification, referring fraudulent cases to ICE, as part of efforts to combat immigration fraud and ensure national security.
Several immigrants in the US have had their citizenship ceremonies canceled at the last minute due to the Trump administration's pause on immigration decisions for high-risk countries, leading to frustration and legal challenges from advocates who see it as xenophobic and unjust.
USCIS's end-of-year review highlights significant efforts under Secretary Noem to strengthen immigration screening, crack down on fraud, enhance national security, and prioritize American interests through policy reforms, increased enforcement, and technological advancements.
A couple in Kodiak faces potential deportation due to a years-old error by the Alaska DMV that mistakenly registered them to vote as U.S. citizens, leading to their citizenship oath being canceled; the error may have affected dozens of others, highlighting flaws in the state's voter registration process and raising concerns about wrongful deportations.
The Trump administration has expanded its immigration restrictions to include 20 additional countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, further restricting legal immigration and affecting those already in the US seeking to change their status or become citizens, amid ongoing debates over security and discrimination.
USCIS has updated its policy guidance to clarify requirements for immigrant petitions for professional athletes, emphasizing the impact of the DOL's new FLAG system which no longer includes minimum job requirements in labor certifications for athletes, potentially requiring additional evidence for visa approval.
The Trump administration plans to significantly increase efforts to strip naturalized Americans of their citizenship, aiming for 100-200 cases per month in 2026, marking a substantial escalation in denaturalization efforts, which could impact many lawful citizens amid broader immigration crackdowns.
The Trump administration has paused all immigration applications from 19 designated high-risk countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia, following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national, and plans to review all existing benefit requests from these countries entered since January 2021, citing national security concerns.
US immigration authorities have paused all immigration applications from 19 countries on Trump's travel ban list for a comprehensive review, affecting Green Card, naturalization, and asylum processes, with the pause remaining until further notice.
The Trump administration has paused all immigration applications from 19 designated high-risk countries, including green cards and naturalizations, citing national security concerns following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national. The move also involves a comprehensive review of existing immigrants from these countries who entered during the Biden administration, with increased scrutiny and potential law enforcement referrals. Critics argue these measures amount to collective punishment for immigrants.
The Trump administration has suspended all immigration applications from 19 countries deemed 'high-risk,' requiring thorough re-review processes for applicants, in response to security concerns following a recent attack near the White House. This move is part of broader efforts to tighten immigration controls from certain nations, impacting applicants from countries already under travel restrictions.
The Trump administration has paused all immigration applications from 19 designated high-risk countries, including green cards and naturalizations, following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national. The move includes a comprehensive review of existing immigrants from these countries who entered during the Biden administration, citing national security concerns and increased scrutiny.
The Biden administration has ended the automatic renewal grace period for most work permits, which was extended to 540 days due to processing delays, potentially causing many immigrants to lose legal work status and face job loss, amid concerns about increased illegal employment and exploitation.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that starting October 30, 2025, automatic extensions of employment authorization documents (EADs) for renewal applicants will end, emphasizing increased vetting and screening to enhance public safety and security, with limited exceptions. This change aims to improve background checks and deter fraud, requiring applicants to renew their EADs proactively to avoid lapses in employment authorization.