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 commentsExecutive actionFinal rule
  International Traffic in Arms Regulations: USML Category I Firearm Suppressors

  This is not an immigration update. The Department of State has issued a rule on firearm suppressors and arms export controls under a presidential executive order on defense sales. It does not affect visa categories, green card processes, travel, asylum, citizenship, or any…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  DHS
  Final ruleProcessing
  USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog

  USCIS has announced a rule change designed to reduce the backlog in the asylum system. The change aims to speed up processing of asylum cases, which have accumulated a significant number of pending applications. This update affects individuals waiting for asylum decisions and…

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for commentsProposed rule
  Exchange Visitor Program-Termination of Program Participation, Extension of Program and Reinstatement to Valid Program Status

  The Department of State is proposing changes to rules governing the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, which allows foreign nationals to participate in educational and cultural exchanges in the U.S. The update addresses procedures for program termination, extension, and reinstatement…

• Published  DHS
  Executive action
  Trump Administration Delivers 14 Straight Months of Zero Releases at the Border

  The Trump Administration reports 14 consecutive months with zero releases of migrants at the U.S. border. This reflects a sustained enforcement posture involving detention of all apprehended individuals without release. The policy marks a significant shift in border processing…

• Published  USCIS
  Lottery / selection
  USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Cap

  USCIS has received enough H-1B petitions to reach both the regular cap of 65,000 visas and the advanced degree exemption cap of 20,000 visas for fiscal year 2027. This means the H-1B cap registration period has closed and a lottery will be held to select beneficiaries from the…

• Published  Fed. Register
  Open for commentsProposed rule
  Civil Money Penalty for Actions in Contempt of an Immigration Judge's Proper Exercise of Authority

  USCIS is proposing a new rule to allow immigration judges to impose civil money penalties on individuals who act in contempt of the judge's authority during proceedings. The rule will define what constitutes contempt, establish procedures for findings and penalty calculations,…

  Public comments accepted through  .

• Published  DHS
  Final rule
  USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog

  USCIS has announced a new rule to streamline the asylum system and reduce the growing backlog of pending cases. The change is intended to speed up case processing and improve efficiency in asylum adjudication. This rule affects individuals with pending asylum applications or…

• Published  USCIS
  Final rule
  USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog

  USCIS announced a rule change aimed at reducing the backlog in the asylum system. The update streamlines asylum processing procedures to help clear pending cases more quickly. This change affects asylum applicants waiting for interview decisions and case outcomes. The rule…