DHS
Policy Change
ICE
Deportation
April 6, 2026
The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to receive migrants deported from the U.S. under the Trump administration's third-country deportation program, with arrivals expected to begin in April 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Individuals in removal proceedings may face deportation to a third country like Congo, rather than their country of origin, even without any ties to that country.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Immigrants currently in deportation proceedings, especially those with protection orders from U.S. immigration judges against return to their home countries.
- Timeline for Action: Deportations under this deal are expected to begin in April 2026.
- Next Steps: Contact an immigration attorney immediately to review your case and explore all available legal remedies, especially if you hold a protection order from an immigration judge.
DHS
Policy Change
USCIS
EAD
Asylum
April 6, 2026
DHS has proposed a new rule that would change eligibility requirements for asylum seekers to obtain work authorization, aiming to reduce what it calls fraudulent asylum filings.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: If finalized, this rule will make it harder for asylum seekers to obtain work authorization while their cases are pending.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Current and prospective asylum applicants who rely on employment authorization to support themselves during the adjudication process.
- Timeline for Action: The rule is in a 60-day public comment period and is not yet final; now is the time to submit public comments or consult an attorney.
- Next Steps: Monitor the rule's progress in the Federal Register, consult with an immigration attorney to ensure your asylum application is as strong as possible, and explore alternative pathways to work authorization if available.
Policy Change
USCIS
EAD
Asylum
Vetting
April 5, 2026
USCIS has lifted its four-month freeze on asylum adjudications for applicants from "non-high-risk" countries, implementing enhanced vetting procedures while keeping the pause in place for 39 restricted nations.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Asylum processing has restarted for applicants from countries not on the high-risk/travel ban list, subject to stricter background checks.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Affirmative asylum applicants whose cases were paused since November 2025.
- Timeline for Action: Applicants should prepare for potential requests for additional evidence or re-interviews as processing resumes immediately.
- Next Steps: Ensure all contact information with USCIS is up to date and consult legal counsel to prepare for enhanced vetting scrutiny and potential EAD renewal changes.
Policy Change
USCIS
H-1B
Visas
Employment
April 5, 2026
USCIS has completed the FY 2027 H-1B cap selection using the new wage-weighted lottery system, and eligible employers can now begin filing full petitions for selected beneficiaries.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: The FY 2027 H-1B lottery selection is complete, and the petition filing window is now open for at least 90 days.
- Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers who submitted H-1B registrations and the foreign national beneficiaries they intend to sponsor.
- Timeline for Action: Petitions must be filed within the 90-day window starting April 1, 2026, using the correct new form edition.
- Next Steps: Employers should check their USCIS online accounts for selection notices and work with immigration counsel to promptly prepare and file accurate H-1B petitions matching their registration details.
Policy Change
Birthright Citizenship
Supreme Court
April 4, 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark case challenging an executive order that attempts to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: The executive order is currently blocked by lower courts, meaning children born in the U.S. continue to be recognized as U.S. citizens at birth under current law.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Undocumented parents expecting a child or who recently had a child in the United States.
- Timeline for Action: A final Supreme Court ruling is expected by June or July 2026; no immediate action is required until the decision is issued.
- Next Steps: Families should consult with a qualified immigration attorney to understand their legal rights and explore any available pathways to secure their status.
Policy Change
USCIS
H-1B
Visa Updates
March 31, 2026
USCIS reached the H-1B visa cap for FY2027 on March 31, 2026, triggering lottery selection for qualifying petitions.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: New H-1B petitions beyond the cap will be rejected unless exempt.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Employers and foreign professionals seeking initial H-1B status for FY2027.
- Timeline for Action: Monitor for any additional selections or exemptions through April 2026.
- Next Steps: Consult an immigration attorney immediately to explore cap-exempt options, alternative visas like O-1 or L-1, or prepare for the next fiscal year; employers should review current workforce needs.
Policy Change
Visa Updates
Visa Bulletin
March 31, 2026
April 2026 Visa Bulletin released March 31, 2026, with advancements in multiple immigrant visa categories.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Check if your priority date is now current to file or proceed with adjustment or consular processing.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Family-based and employment-based green card applicants from backlogged countries.
- Timeline for Action: Review the bulletin immediately upon release each month.
- Next Steps: Contact your immigration attorney to confirm your status, gather necessary forms and evidence, and prepare for potential visa interviews.
Policy Change
H-1B
DOL
PERM
Prevailing Wage
March 30, 2026
The Department of Labor proposed a rule to significantly raise prevailing wage levels for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM workers, shifting the entry-level wage threshold from the 17th to the 34th percentile.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Prevailing wage minimums for H-1B and PERM workers will increase significantly across all four wage levels.
- Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers sponsoring foreign nationals for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, or employment-based green cards, as well as the sponsored employees.
- Timeline for Action: The 60-day public comment period closes on May 26, 2026. Changes will apply to new filings once the rule is finalized.
- Next Steps: Employers should audit their current LCA portfolio, model their wage exposure for upcoming renewals, and consult with an immigration attorney to plan for increased sponsorship costs.
Policy Change
State Department
Visa Updates
Social Media
K-1
March 30, 2026
Starting March 30, 2026, the State Department is expanding mandatory social media vetting to additional visa categories, including K-1, R-1, and humanitarian visas.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Visa applicants in the newly added categories must disclose social media handles and set their profiles to public for consular review.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Applicants for A-3, C-3, G-5, H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visas, along with previously affected categories.
- Timeline for Action: The expanded vetting policy is effective immediately as of March 30, 2026.
- Next Steps: Applicants should review their social media history, ensure their profiles are set to public before their consular interviews, and be prepared to answer questions regarding their online activity.
Policy Change
USCIS
Vetting
Screening
March 30, 2026
USCIS updated strengthened screening and vetting procedures on March 30, 2026, in line with national security priorities.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Expect longer processing times for visa and benefit applications due to additional checks.
- Who Should Be Concerned: All applicants for visas, green cards, and naturalization, especially from certain high-risk countries.
- Timeline for Action: Submit applications as early as possible; current backlogs may increase.
- Next Steps: Ensure all supporting documents are complete, monitor case status online, and consult an immigration attorney for guidance on expedited processing options if eligible.
TPS
Policy Change
USCIS
Employment Authorization
March 29, 2026
A federal court order has paused the termination of TPS for Somalia, prompting USCIS to automatically extend employment authorization for beneficiaries through May 18, 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Employment Verification: Affected individuals have work authorization automatically extended to May 18, 2026, and employers must update their I-9 records accordingly.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Somali nationals currently holding TPS and their employers.
- Timeline for Action: Immediate action is not required for the extension, but individuals should begin planning for the May 18, 2026 expiration.
- Next Steps: Contact an immigration lawyer to assess eligibility for asylum, family-based petitions, or other forms of permanent relief.
DHS
ICE
Enforcement
Border Security
March 29, 2026
DHS has extended its 'Mass Influx' finding for 180 days, allowing the agency to request state and local law enforcement assistance in immigration enforcement nationwide.
What This Means for You:
- Increased Local Enforcement: State and local police may have expanded authority to assist ICE in apprehending undocumented individuals.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Undocumented immigrants, particularly those with outstanding removal orders or criminal records.
- Timeline for Action: The finding is effective immediately and remains in place until mid-September 2026.
- Next Steps: Individuals at risk should consult an immigration attorney to understand their rights during encounters with law enforcement and explore any available avenues for legal status.
