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Policy tracker

What changed in immigration policy, and what it means for you

Each change is dated, marked with its current status and explained in plain words. Checked against official and primary sources.

Category

Status

Showing 12 of 12 changes

  1. In effectWork permits· Last change:

    Annual increase of the H.R. 1 immigration fees

    The fees added by Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1) were adjusted for fiscal year 2027 for asylum, parole, Temporary Protected Status and certain work permit applications. They cannot be waived and must be paid separately from the filing fee.

    What this means for you

    If you file an asylum-related, parole or TPS work permit, check the current fee on the day you mail it: a request postmarked on or after October 16, 2026 without the new fee is rejected. The fee calculator on this site shows the standard filing fees.

    Source: USCIS: Form G-1055, Fee Schedule

  2. In effectFamily petitions· Last change:

    New public charge rule takes effect

    A DHS final rule replaced the 2022 public charge framework. Officers now weigh the applicant's overall circumstances, including use of means-tested public benefits, with wide discretion.

    What this means for you

    If you are applying for a green card or an immigrant visa, how you and your household use public benefits can weigh more than before. Before you stop or start any benefit, ask a lawyer how it applies to you: some benefits, and benefits used by U.S. citizen children, may not count.

    Source: USCIS: Public charge

  3. In effectStudent visas· Last change:

    Students and exchange visitors get fixed admission periods

    A DHS final rule replaced 'duration of status' for F, J and I visa holders. F-1 students are now admitted for the length of their program, up to four years, with a 30-day grace period after it ends.

    What this means for you

    Check the end date on your I-94 after every entry. If your program runs longer, you must apply for an extension with Form I-539 before that date; staying past it can start unlawful presence.

    Source: National Law Review: DHS final rule on fixed admission periods

  4. Blocked by courtTravel and consular· Last change:

    Court ends the 75-country immigrant visa pause

    In January 2026 the State Department paused immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries. A federal court vacated the pause in CLINIC v. Rubio, and on August 28, 2026 the Department told the court it no longer applies it.

    What this means for you

    If a relative's immigrant visa was held because of the pause, the case can move again at the consulate. Interview scheduling still depends on each consulate, and the travel restrictions below still apply to some countries.

    Source: CLINIC: CLINIC v. Rubio

  5. Blocked by courtEmployment visas· Last change:

    $100,000 payment for certain H-1B petitions blocked by court

    A federal court in Massachusetts vacated the guidance that collected a $100,000 payment on certain new H-1B petitions. On July 24, 2026 the First Circuit declined to pause that order, and DHS says it will comply while it considers next steps.

    What this means for you

    For now the payment is not collected. Employers planning an H-1B petition should still budget for it and check again before filing: DHS says it will collect it if the order is lifted.

    Source: USCIS: Form G-1055 alerts

  6. Blocked by courtNaturalization· Last change:

    Supreme Court holds the birthright citizenship order unconstitutional

    In Trump v. Barbara the Supreme Court held that Executive Order 14160, which tried to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States, violates the Fourteenth Amendment.

    What this means for you

    A child born in the United States is a citizen, whatever the parents' immigration status, apart from the narrow long-standing exceptions such as children of foreign diplomats. Apply for the child's passport and Social Security number as usual.

    Source: Congressional Research Service: Trump v. Barbara

  7. ProposedWork permits· Last change:

    Proposed rule would narrow discretionary work permits

    DHS proposed 'Clarification of Discretionary Employment Authorization for Certain Aliens' (91 Fed. Reg. 34352, June 5, 2026). It would narrow who can get some work permits and add discretionary factors.

    What this means for you

    Nothing changes until a final rule is published. If your work permit depends on a pending application, renew on time under the current rules and watch for a final rule.

    Source: CLINIC: public comment on the proposed EAD rule

  8. In effectTravel and consular· Last change:

    Expanded travel restrictions take effect

    A December 16, 2025 proclamation expanded the June 2025 travel ban: from January 1, 2026, entry is fully suspended for nationals of 19 countries and partly restricted for 19 more. Lawful permanent residents are exempt.

    What this means for you

    Family-based immigrant visas no longer have a blanket exception for listed countries. If your relative is a national of a listed country, ask about the narrow exceptions and waivers before the consular interview.

    Source: Cozen O'Connor: Expanded and revised travel bans

  9. In effectNaturalization· Last change:

    The 2025 naturalization civics test

    Applicants who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test: a bank of 128 questions, 20 asked, 12 correct answers to pass. Earlier filers take the 2008 test.

    What this means for you

    Study the 2025 list if you filed on or after that date. Applicants over 65 with at least 20 years as residents study 20 marked questions and must answer 6 of 10.

    Source: CLINIC: preparing clients for the 2025 civics test

  10. WithdrawnNaturalization· Last change:

    USCIS withdraws its statelessness guidance

    USCIS withdrew the August 2023 Policy Manual guidance that set out how officers identify stateless applicants and consider statelessness in a case.

    What this means for you

    Being stateless can still be raised as a discretionary factor, but there is no longer a set procedure for it. If you have no nationality, bring every document about it to your consultation.

    Source: Immigration Policy Tracking Project

  11. In effectTPS and parole· Last change:

    Supreme Court lets DHS end CHNV parole

    The Supreme Court stayed a lower court order, allowing DHS to end the parole granted to nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela under the CHNV processes while the case continues.

    What this means for you

    Parole under CHNV does not protect you on its own any more. If you came through CHNV, ask a lawyer now about asylum, TPS, family petitions or the Cuban Adjustment Act, and keep every deadline.

    Source: Supreme Court: Noem v. Doe, No. 24A1079

  12. Blocked by courtDACA· Last change:

    DACA: renewals continue, first-time requests still on hold

    The Fifth Circuit held in Texas v. United States that DACA's deferred action may continue but limited the decision on work permits to Texas. The district court has not yet issued the modified order, so USCIS still decides only renewals.

    What this means for you

    If you have DACA, keep renewing 120 to 150 days before it expires; renewals are taking months. If you never had DACA, you can file, but USCIS will not decide a first-time request until the court order changes.

    Source: USCIS: DACA

General information as of October 21, 2026, not legal advice. Laws and court orders change; ask about your own case.