Policy & borders

DHS and DOJ have announced a new rule that bars asylum eligibility for foreign nationals who pose security threats or public health risks to the United States. The rule clarifies when aliens may be ineligible for asylum or withholding of…

USCIS released an end-of-year review highlighting enforcement actions and policy changes implemented in 2025, including enhanced background screening, stricter vetting procedures, and increased coordination with DHS immigration…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is requesting emergency clearance from the Office of Management and Budget to collect reports of suspicious or criminal activity. This information collection (OMB Control Number 1653-0049)…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is requesting renewal and extension of its currently approved information collection related to flight manifests and billing agreements. The request is being submitted to the Office of…

DHS and ICE are seeking approval to extend an existing information collection related to designating or revoking an attorney-in-fact authorization for immigration matters. This is a routine paperwork administrative process under the…

DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is extending approval for its Electronic Bonds Online (eBonds) access system, which manages financial bonds required in immigration cases. This administrative collection allows ICE to continue…

USCIS has updated its photo requirements for immigration documents, now limiting photos to no more than three years old instead of accepting older photos. The change aims to prevent identity fraud and enhance security. All applicants will…

USCIS has created a new specialized screening unit designed to identify and exclude terrorists, criminals, and fraudsters from the immigration system. The center will enhance security vetting across various immigration benefit applications…

USCIS is updating its policy on biometrics collection for detainees to prevent frivolous immigration claims and ensure consistent procedures across offices. This change affects how immigration officials screen and process detainees during…

Following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C. by an Afghan national, USCIS has issued new guidance that allows country-specific security risk factors to be considered when vetting aliens from 19 identified high-risk countries. This…

The Department of Labor is requesting comments on a proposed revision to the information collection process for Job Corps Enrollee Allotment Determination. This is part of DOL's effort to reduce paperwork burden and streamline the Job…

ICE is requesting OMB clearance to reinstate its IMAGE (Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers) information collection program without changes. The program was previously published in August 2025 with a 60-day comment period…

ICE is requesting OMB clearance to extend its Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) information collection without changes. The collection was previously published in September 2025 with a 60-day comment period that received no comments. Public…

USCIS is raising certain immigration-related filing fees for fiscal year 2026 due to inflation, as mandated by federal law. The agency published a Federal Register notice outlining which fees will increase and the new amounts. Affected…

DHS is raising two immigration enforcement-related fees for fiscal year 2026 due to inflation adjustments mandated by HR-1. The fees for aliens ordered removed in absentia and inadmissible alien apprehension will both be $5,130 starting…

A 64-year-old Cuban Air Force pilot has been indicted for immigration fraud, including misuse of visa and permit documents and making false statements to federal authorities. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role…

Under the Trump administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has closed loopholes and implemented changes to immigration policy since January 20, 2025, aiming to restore integrity to the immigration system and…

A Mexican national who was recently reelected as mayor of Coldwater, Kansas faces voter fraud charges filed by the Kansas Attorney General in November 2024. The charges were announced shortly after USCIS provided assistance in the case.…

USCIS announced it has received over 35,000 applications for its new Homeland Defenders position since the hiring campaign launched on September 30, marking the highest application volume for any single USCIS position in agency history.…

USCIS will require all paper-filed immigration applications to be paid electronically starting October 28. Applicants will no longer be able to submit checks or money orders with their forms. This change aims to streamline payment…

A 24-year-old Venezuelan national has pleaded guilty to submitting false information on immigration forms and firearm purchase applications while unlawfully present in Ohio and enrolled in high school. The case involves both immigration…

USCIS, ICE, and the FBI jointly conducted Operation Twin Shield, a targeted fraud investigation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from September 19–28, 2025. Officers identified suspected fraud in 275 immigration cases during this surge…

A West Virginia couple pleaded guilty to immigration crimes with assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The case involved a joint investigation that resulted in criminal convictions related to immigration law…

A South Windsor, Connecticut man was sentenced to prison for defrauding immigrant clients and USCIS in what appears to be an immigration services fraud scheme. The case was investigated with assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration…

USCIS assisted federal law enforcement in investigating and arresting two Minnesota men accused of funding and directing kidnappings, bombings, and killings overseas. The agency's assistance helped support a major criminal investigation…

USCIS and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations coordinated to arrest Muhammad Chaudhry, a 52-year-old Pakistani national described as an international con man and criminal alien. The arrest resulted from interagency cooperation on…

Federal prosecutors have charged 12 people in an international smuggling and asylum fraud conspiracy that illegally brought thousands of aliens into the United States for profit. The charges also include money laundering related to the…

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has gained expanded law enforcement authorities, allowing its newly designated special agents (1811 classified officers) to investigate, arrest, and prosecute immigration law violators. This final…

The Department of Homeland Security is seeking approval to extend its collection of information on immigration bonds, used to detain or release individuals in immigration proceedings. This is a routine administrative renewal under federal…

USCIS has implemented electronic debit payment from U.S. bank accounts as a new way to pay immigration filing fees. This modernization makes fee payments more convenient and reduces reliance on checks or other payment methods. The change…