USCIS
Duration of Status
F Visa
J Visa
I Visa
September 18, 2026
On September 14, 2026, a federal court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction postponing the effective date of a DHS rule that would have replaced duration of status admissions with fixed periods for F, J, and I nonimmigrants.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: A nationwide preliminary injunction postpones the effective date of the DHS rule replacing duration of status with fixed admission periods.
- Who Should Be Concerned: F, J, and I nonimmigrants and their dependents, along with schools, sponsors, and employers relying on D/S admissions.
- Timeline for Action: Duration of status remains in effect pending further court order; the case continues on the merits.
- Next Steps: Monitor updates from the court and consult qualified immigration counsel regarding individual situations.
USCIS
H-2B
Visa Bulletin
September 12, 2026
USCIS announced on September 11, 2026, that it reached the H-2B cap of 33,000 for the first half of FY 2027. New cap-subject petitions with start dates before April 1, 2027, received after September 4, 2026, will be rejected.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: USCIS reached the 33,000 H-2B cap for the first half of FY 2027 on the final receipt date of September 4, 2026.
- Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers filing new cap-subject H-2B petitions for nonagricultural temporary workers with employment start dates before April 1, 2027.
- Timeline for Action: New petitions received after September 4, 2026, requesting start dates before April 1, 2027, will be rejected.
- Next Steps: Confirm whether your workers qualify for exempt categories or can use later start dates that fall under the second-half cap.
USCIS
H-1B
Visa Updates
Policy Changes
Nonimmigrant Visas
September 12, 2026
On September 11, 2026, DHS published a notice of proposed rulemaking to eliminate the up to 60-day discretionary grace period for E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, and TN nonimmigrants and their dependents.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: DHS proposes to eliminate the up to 60-day discretionary grace period for listed nonimmigrant classifications.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Nonimmigrants in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, and TN classifications and their dependents who experience cessation of employment.
- Timeline for Action: The notice was published September 11, 2026, and remains a proposal that is not yet final.
- Next Steps: Monitor the Federal Register for updates and consult an immigration attorney to understand current status options.
EOIR
FOIA
Privacy Act
Form EOIR-59
September 12, 2026
On September 11, 2026, EOIR published a 30-day notice in the Federal Register for revisions to Form EOIR-59 under OMB Control Number 1125-0017.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: EOIR published a 30-day notice on September 11, 2026, for a three-year extension and revision of Form EOIR-59 (OMB 1125-0017).
- Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals and households in immigration proceedings before EOIR who want to authorize release of their records to third parties.
- Timeline for Action: Comments on the collection are due by October 13, 2026.
- Next Steps: Review the Federal Register notice and submit comments through www.reginfo.gov or eoir.pra.comments@usdoj.gov if you have input on the form changes.
TPS
USCIS
Temporary Protected Status
El Salvador
September 12, 2026
On September 9, 2026, the TPS designation for El Salvador expired without a formal extension or termination notice from DHS, leaving approximately 170,000 beneficiaries with continued protection until an announcement is made.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: Salvadoran TPS holders retain protection including work authorization until USCIS announces otherwise.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Approximately 170,000 Salvadoran nationals with TPS and their employers.
- Timeline for Action: Continue current protections while monitoring for a future announcement.
- Next Steps: Check the USCIS El Salvador TPS page regularly and consult qualified immigration counsel.
USCIS
E-Verify
Employment Eligibility
September 11, 2026
USCIS published a 30-day notice on September 10, 2026, inviting public comments on revisions to the E-Verify information collection through October 13, 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: USCIS published a 30-day notice on September 10, 2026, for revisions to the E-Verify information collection and is accepting comments until October 13, 2026.
- Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers that participate in or enroll in the E-Verify Program to electronically confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
- Timeline for Action: Comments on the proposed revision, including burden estimates, are due by October 13, 2026.
- Next Steps: Review the notice at the Federal Register link and submit comments via regulations.gov under docket USCIS-2007-0023 if the revisions may affect your business.
USCIS
Green Card
Lawful Permanent Resident
Policy Changes
September 10, 2026
DHS and USCIS published an interim final rule on September 9, 2026, permitting eligible children born in the United States to foreign government employees who are not U.S. citizens to register for lawful permanent resident status.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: An interim final rule effective September 4, 2026, lets eligible U.S.-born children of non-citizen foreign government employees register lawful permanent resident status.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Parents of children born on or after September 4, 2026, to foreign government employees who are not U.S. citizens and who meet the rule's definition.
- Timeline for Action: The rule is already in effect for qualifying births; public comments are due by October 5, 2026.
- Next Steps: Review the updated Form I-485 and Form G-325R instructions, prepare required documentation, and file with USCIS if eligible.
USCIS
Green Card
Lawful Permanent Resident
Form I-485
September 5, 2026
DHS issued an interim final rule on September 4, 2026, expanding eligibility for lawful permanent resident registration to certain children born in the United States to foreign government employees.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: An interim final rule effective September 4, 2026, broadens who may register as a lawful permanent resident via Form I-485.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Parents of children born in the United States on or after September 4, 2026, to at least one foreign government employee where neither parent is a U.S. citizen.
- Timeline for Action: The rule applies only to births on or after the effective date and is currently blocked for certain individuals by court order.
- Next Steps: Consult an immigration attorney to review eligibility and watch for further USCIS guidance on Form I-485 filings.
USCIS
Green Card
Diversity Visa
Adjustment of Status
September 5, 2026
A federal court temporarily vacated Policy Memorandum PM-602-0193 and directed USCIS to resume ordinary processing of certain FY-2026 Diversity Visa adjustment of status applications.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: A court order temporarily removes the USCIS hold on certain FY-2026 Diversity Visa adjustment of status cases.
- Who Should Be Concerned: FY-2026 Diversity Visa selectees and derivative beneficiaries in the United States with pending adjustment applications subject to PM-602-0193.
- Timeline for Action: Processing should resume during the remainder of the FY-2026 Diversity Visa fiscal year.
- Next Steps: Check case status regularly and consult an immigration attorney about how the order may affect your application.
USCIS
Visa Updates
Immigration News 2026
Policy Changes
September 5, 2026
USCIS published a 30-day Federal Register notice on September 4, 2026, seeking comments on extending the e-Request Tool information collection without changes.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: USCIS published a 30-day notice on September 4, 2026, for extending the e-Request Tool information collection without changes.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Immigration applicants, petitioners, and representatives who use the e-Request Tool for case inquiries or accommodations.
- Timeline for Action: The 30-day comment period is open following the September 4, 2026 notice.
- Next Steps: Visit the Federal Register notice and uscis.gov/e-request to review details and submit comments if desired.
USCIS
Fraud Prevention
International Offices
Document Verification
September 4, 2026
USCIS will open a new international field office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 9, 2026, to handle document verification, fraud investigations, and DNA collection for family relationships.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: USCIS opens a new field office in Addis Ababa on September 9, 2026, for document verification, fraud investigations, and DNA collection.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals in Ethiopia needing USCIS services for document authenticity, suspected fraud cases, or DNA-based family relationship confirmations.
- Timeline for Action: Services begin September 9, 2026; monitor the USCIS International Immigration Offices webpage for updates.
- Next Steps: Check the USCIS website regularly and schedule an appointment once details are posted.
