Policy

High-signal items · last 90 days

What to watch

Ranked by impact: rule changes, fee updates, open comment periods, executive actions, and processing shifts. Not just newest: most consequential.

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for commentsFeesFinal rule
  EOIR Fees

  The Department of Justice is updating fee regulations for cases filed with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the immigration court system, to comply with new statutory requirements. This interim final rule establishes new or modified filing fees for immigration…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for commentsExecutive actionProposed rule
  International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Part 130 Changes To Reduce Reporting Burden

  The State Department is streamlining reporting requirements for international arms sales under Executive Order 14268, specifically reducing the burden of political contribution and fee disclosures in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This modernization aims…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for commentsFeesProposed rule
  Increasing the Fee for Certain Aliens Ordered Removed in Absentia as Established by the HR-1 Reconciliation Bill

  DHS is proposing to increase a fee charged to certain aliens ordered removed in absentia who fail to depart and are later arrested by ICE, from $5,130 to $18,000. The fee would be adjusted annually for inflation. This change implements a provision in the Budget Reconciliation…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for commentsProcessing
  Departure Notification Record

  DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is updating the Departure Notification Record information collection system and has submitted it to the Office of Management and Budget for final review and approval. The collection was previously open for public comment in January…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  USCIS
  Proposed rule
  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Will Grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ Only in Extraordinary Circumstances

  USCIS announced a new policy restricting adjustment of status (green card applications within the U.S.) to only extraordinary circumstances, requiring most applicants to process through consular processing abroad instead. This reverses recent practice and aligns with…

• Published  State Dept
  Processing
  India Per-Country Limit Reached in the EB-2 Category

  India has reached its per-country limit for EB-2 (employment-based second preference) green cards, meaning Indian nationals in this category will face significant delays in obtaining their green cards. This occurs because a large backlog of Indian applicants has exhausted the…

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for comments
  60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Medical Examination for Visa or Immigration Benefit

  The Department of State is seeking approval for updated medical examination requirements and procedures for visa and immigration benefit applicants. This information collection notice allows 60 days of public comment on the proposed changes to medical examination standards and…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  DHS
  Executive action
  DHS Directs ICE to Deport Aliens Who Vote in American Elections

  DHS has directed ICE to prioritize deportation of foreign nationals who vote in U.S. elections. Voting while not a citizen is a federal crime and grounds for deportation under immigration law. This directive aims to enforce existing statutes but may lead to increased removal…