Immigration policy changes, explained.

Judge Rules CBP Broke Its Own Court-Ordered Limits in Sacramento Raid

A federal judge found that Border Patrol agents violated a standing court order when they swept a Sacramento Home Depot parking lot in July 2025, arresting day laborers without individualized suspicion. The ruling adds to a growing list of courts pushing back on the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics. If you live or work in California's Eastern District, new documentation requirements for immigration stops now apply.

13,000+ Asylum Seekers Ordered to Countries They've Never Visited Under Trump Policy

More than 13,000 people legally living in the US while awaiting asylum rulings have been ordered deported to countries they have no ties to — places like Uganda, Ecuador, and Honduras. Most haven't been deported yet, but they've lost work permits and are stuck in legal limbo. Advocates say the fear itself is the point.

The H-1B Lottery Just Changed: Winners & Losers

As FY 2027 selection notifications roll out, the first-ever wage-based H-1B lottery is already reshaping the tech workforce, crushing early-career professionals, and triggering legal battles in three federal courts.

DOL Proposes Higher H-1B and PERM Wages — What Workers and Employers Need to Know

The Department of Labor wants to raise the minimum wages employers must pay H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM-sponsored workers — potentially the biggest prevailing wage overhaul in years. The goal: stop companies from using visa programs to undercut American workers with cheaper foreign labor. If finalized, this rule could raise costs for thousands of employers and reshape how H-1B salaries are set.

The H-1B Revolution: Wage-Based Lottery, Plunging Registrations, and a Healthcare Revolt Reshape America's Skilled Worker Pipeline

The H-1B Revolution: Wage-Based Lottery, Plunging Registrations, and a Healthcare Revolt Reshape America's Skilled Worker Pipeline

White House Creates Fraud Task Force That Could Tighten Immigrant Access to Benefits

President Trump signed an executive order creating a new Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by the Vice President, targeting federal benefits programs. The order explicitly names immigrants and 'illegal aliens' as exploiting welfare programs, and directs agencies to develop stricter eligibility verification and anti-fraud controls. For visa holders and immigrants, this could mean new documentation hurdles and tighter scrutiny when accessing any federally funded benefits.

State Dept Now Requires Passport Scans for Diversity Visa Lottery — Starting April 10

The U.S. Department of State is cracking down on fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) lottery by requiring applicants to submit valid passport information and a scanned copy of their passport when entering. The rule takes effect April 10, 2026 — if you plan to enter a future DV lottery, you'll need a passport in hand. This change comes after 2.5 million fraudulent entries were discovered in the DV-2025 cycle alone.

White House Nominates Mullin as DHS Secretary — What It Means for Visa Holders

The White House has sent Markwayne Mullin's nomination as Secretary of Homeland Security to the Senate for confirmation. As DHS oversees USCIS and immigration enforcement, a new secretary could shape H-1B, F-1, and other visa policies. Here's what immigration-watchers should know.

White House Proclaims War on Cartels — What It Could Mean for Immigration Enforcement

President Trump signed a proclamation on March 7, 2026, formally declaring a commitment to dismantling cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. While the document focuses on military and foreign policy, its broader enforcement context — including expanded FTO designations — has real implications for asylum seekers, undocumented immigrants, and visa holders with any cartel-related ties.

White House EO Targets Cybercrime TCOs — Visa Restrictions and Sanctions on the Table

President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to crack down on foreign transnational criminal organizations behind ransomware, scam centers, and fraud schemes. The order puts visa restrictions, sanctions, and even diplomat expulsions on the table for nations that shelter these operations. While not an immigration rule change, visa holders from countries linked to cybercrime TCOs could face collateral scrutiny.

DHS Ends Yemen TPS: Thousands Lose Protected Status by May 4

The Department of Homeland Security is terminating Temporary Protected Status for Yemen, stripping legal protections from Yemeni nationals in the US effective May 4, 2026. Yemeni TPS holders will lose their right to remain in the US and their work authorization — unless they have another valid immigration status. With the deadline just weeks away, affected individuals need to act now.

F-1 to OPT to STEM Extension: The Complete Timeline

A step-by-step guide to navigating the F-1 to OPT to STEM OPT extension pipeline. Timelines, deadlines, and common mistakes to avoid.

USCIS Processing Times Just Got Faster — Here's the Breakdown

USCIS has updated processing times across multiple visa categories. Several employment-based categories are seeing significant improvements, especially I-140 and I-765 processing.

H-1B Second Lottery Round: What You Need to Know

USCIS announced a second H-1B lottery selection round for FY2025. Here's what it means for applicants who weren't selected in the first round and what steps to take next.