CBP
Visa
Border Crossing
October 11, 2026
On October 13, 2026, CBP published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would require rail carriers to submit advance electronic traveler information and notices of arrival or departure for trains crossing the U.S. border.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: CBP proposes requiring rail carriers to submit advance traveler data and notices for border-crossing trains.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Rail carriers operating international passenger or crew services and all passengers and crew on such trains.
- Timeline for Action: Comments due December 14, 2026; no effective date set.
- Next Steps: Review the Federal Register notice and submit comments if applicable.
DHS
OPT
F-1 Visa
Policy Changes
SEVP
October 9, 2026
On October 8, 2026, DHS/ICE published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing fees of $70,000 for initial OPT and $30,000 for subsequent OPT paid by SEVP-certified institutions.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: SEVP-certified schools would pay $70,000 for initial OPT and $30,000 for subsequent OPT under the proposed rule.
- Who Should Be Concerned: F-1 nonimmigrant students seeking OPT and SEVP-certified educational institutions that recommend them.
- Timeline for Action: Comments on the rule are due November 9, 2026; a transition period would delay fees until 60 days after any final rule.
- Next Steps: Review the Federal Register notice and submit comments via Docket No. ICEB-2026-0100 if affected.
TPS
USCIS
Asylum
Parole
Fee Schedule
October 2, 2026
USCIS published a Federal Register notice on October 1, 2026, announcing a 3.36% inflationary adjustment to certain H.R. 1 fees for FY 2027, effective for benefit requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: USCIS is raising selected H.R. 1 fees by 3.36% for requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Applicants filing asylum-related forms, parole requests, TPS, or certain EADs governed by H.R. 1.
- Timeline for Action: Verify fees before any mailing with a postmark on or after October 16, 2026.
- Next Steps: Check the updated Form G-1055 on uscis.gov and include the correct fee with your filing.
DHS
ICE
Enforcement
Removal
October 2, 2026
DHS published a Federal Register notice on October 1, 2026, adjusting two enforcement fees under HR-1 for FY 2027 inflation.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: Two specific enforcement fees increase from $5,130 to $5,300 effective October 16, 2026.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Noncitizens ordered removed in absentia and later arrested by ICE, plus inadmissible noncitizens apprehended between ports of entry.
- Timeline for Action: The new amounts apply to assessments beginning October 16, 2026.
- Next Steps: Review the Federal Register notice and consult an immigration attorney about any pending matters.
USCIS
ESTA
Parole
Fee Adjustments
October 2, 2026
DHS published inflation adjustments to certain HR-1 immigration fees on October 1, 2026. New amounts for parole, ESTA, and EVUS fees take effect October 16, 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: DHS raises parole, ESTA, and EVUS fees effective October 16, 2026, while the I-94 fee stays the same.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Noncitizens subject to HR-1 parole, ESTA applicants, EVUS enrollees, certain land-border I-94 filers, and employers or sponsors involved in parole.
- Timeline for Action: New fees apply to grants or applications on or after October 16, 2026.
- Next Steps: Consult an immigration attorney to confirm how the changes affect your specific filing and prepare the updated payment amounts.
TPS
USCIS
Asylum
Employment Authorization
Fee Adjustments
October 1, 2026
USCIS announced inflation adjustments for certain H.R. 1 immigration-related fees effective October 16, 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: USCIS will require higher fees for certain asylum, parole, EAD, and TPS filings postmarked on or after October 16, 2026.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Individuals filing annual asylum applications, Form I-131 for immigration parole, initial Form I-765 EADs tied to asylum/TPS/parole, or Form I-821 TPS applications.
- Timeline for Action: Submit filings with the correct new fee if postmarked October 16, 2026 or later; earlier filings use current amounts.
- Next Steps: Verify the exact fee on the USCIS website before sending any application and consider filing early if your request is ready.
USCIS
Visa Bulletin
EB-5
October 1, 2026
DHS published a final rule on September 30, 2026, adjusting USCIS fees for EB-5 immigration benefit requests and codifying provisions of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point: New EB-5 fees take effect for applications postmarked November 30, 2026 or later.
- Who Should Be Concerned: EB-5 immigrant investors filing Forms I-526 or I-526E, regional center operators submitting I-956 series forms, and parties making Integrity Fund payments.
- Timeline for Action: Review filings now to determine whether submission before or after November 30, 2026 is feasible.
- Next Steps: Verify required fees on the USCIS website and prepare filings with the correct payment amounts before the effective date.
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.
