Effective December 2, 2024, USCIS updated the submission requirements for Form I-693, the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This change aims to streamline green card application processes by requiring the medical exam to accompany Form I-485. 

As of September 10, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a policy change to extend Green Card validity to 36 months for lawful permanent residents awaiting Green Card renewal. This update, intended to address lengthy USCIS processing times, provides crucial protection for Green Card holders whose cards are expiring or have expired. 

As part of his 2024 campaign, former President Donald Trump has revived his controversial proposal to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. This plan could cost an estimated $265 billion, a figure that’s more than 10 times the current U.S. immigration enforcement budget. 

On November 19, 2024, USCIS released new guidance clarifying the requirements for legal and physical custody in cases of children acquiring or deriving U.S. citizenship. 

USCIS is set to implement a major update to Form I-129, effective January 2025. This form is critical for employment-based immigration, covering visa categories like H-1B, L-1, and O-1. These changes aim to enhance compliance and worker protections but come with increased documentation requirements and operational challenges.

For decades, humanitarian parole has been a vital tool in U.S. immigration policy, allowing migrants to enter the country temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons. President Biden expanded the program to address crises in Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, granting over 500,000 migrants legal status and work permits. However, with Trump’s return to office, this program faces an uncertain future. 

When faced with immigration enforcement, understanding the difference between judicial and administrative warrants is crucial to protecting your rights.  

Here’s what you need to know

As of January 29, 2025, Laken Riley Act (LRA) was signed into law, expanding the mandatory detention of certain noncitizens who have been arrested or charged—not necessarily convicted—of specific offenses. These offenses include theft, burglary, shoplifting, larceny, assault on law enforcement officers, and crimes resulting in serious bodily injury or death. The law also allows state governments to sue the federal government if they can prove harm due to the lack of enforcement of detention or parole provisions. 

The naturalization process is a significant milestone for many immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. To ensure a smooth application, understanding the required documentation for Form N-400 is essential. 

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields eligible young immigrants known as “Dreamers” from deportation and grants them temporary work permits, is once again at the center of a legal and political battle. DACA was originally established in 2012 under the Obama administration to protect individuals from deportation.  Dreamers are individuals who entered the U.S. without legal status or overstayed their visas as children. Federal immigration officials have announced plans to reopen DACA to new applicants for the first time since 2021, but the program’s future remains uncertain. 

USCIS has issued updated guidance on how certain military discharges affect eligibility for naturalization under Sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The changes are tied to recent updates in military separation policy and new executive orders governing the Department of War and military benefits. 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule that will significantly change how employment authorization renewals are handled in the United States. The rule, announced in late October 2025, ends the long-standing practice of automatically extending Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for many noncitizens who file timely renewal applications. This shift reflects DHS’s renewed focus on security, screening, and vetting procedures within the U.S. immigration system.

Introduction 

A new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications announced by the Trump administration has raised major concerns for rural communities that depend on immigrant teachers and healthcare workers. The administration says the goal is to protect American jobs from being replaced by foreign labor, but local leaders warn the change could deepen staffing crises in essential public services. 

As we reach the mid-year point in 2024, state legislatures have concluded their sessions with a significant focus on immigrant-related policies. Over 700 immigration
bills have been tracked, highlighting both supportive and restrictive measures. The American Immigration Council’s State and Local Initiatives Team tracked these bills,
showcasing a broad spectrum of immigration-related policies. Pro-immigrant bills aimed at integration and support were passed, such as establishing Offices of New Americans in states like Pennsylvania, Vermont, Hawaii, and Maine, and expanding professional licensure opportunities for internationally trained professionals in states like Florida and Washington. Conversely, several states advanced restrictive measures, including anti-sanctuary laws and enhanced cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These legislative actions reflect ongoing national debates and highlight the significant role states play in shaping immigration policy.

Introduction 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a new $1,000 Immigration Parole Fee, effective October 16, 2025. This fee applies to certain individuals granted parole into or within the United States under the authority of INA § 212(d)(5)(A). 

President Donald Trump has launched a new immigration initiative known as the “gold card,” a program that offers legal permanent residency—and eventually a path to citizenship—to individuals or companies willing to make large financial payments. The announcement marks a major shift in how investment-based immigration would function in the United States. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a policy change affecting immigrants applying for Green Cards from within the United States. Under a new policy memo, USCIS states that Adjustment of Status will generally only be granted in “extraordinary circumstances,” with most applicants expected to complete immigrant visa processing abroad through a U.S. consulate.

This update may affect individuals currently in the U.S. on temporary visas, including students, tourists, and workers who planned to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.

The Trump administration has announced a temporary pause on immigration application processing for individuals from 19 countries previously subject to travel restrictions. The decision, outlined in a new USCIS policy memo, comes amid broader immigration policy changes following a recent shooting involving a National Guard service member. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced updates to its Policy Manual that change how long certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) may remain valid. The agency states that these revisions align its procedures with recent legislation and support its broader goals of maintaining accurate and up-to-date vetting processes.