Important EAD Changes Ahead

DHS is expected to remove the automatic 540-day extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for all renewals filed on or after 10/30/25. The interim final rule to be published in the Federal Register on 10/30/25 will apply to all categories eligible for the extension.

"Gold Card" Immigrant Program

The Gold Card program (Executive Order 14351) introduced on September 19th, 2025 is an expedited immigrant visa process for foreign nationals who make a large, unrestricted financial gift to the U.S. government.

DOS announced that effective immediately

Applicants should schedule non-immigrant visa appointments in their country of nationality or residence, signaling a change in public messaging from the past several years. 

Presidential Proclamation Requires $100,000 Fee for New H-1B Workers

On September 19, 2025, the President issued a Proclamation that temporarily halts decisions on new H-1B petitions and bans entry of certain H-1B workers, unless a $100,000 fee is paid. The Proclamation took effect September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT for twelve months (with the possibility of an extension).

Status of Parole Programs (As of September 9, 2025)

See attached checklist to view newly terminated Parole status.

President Trump Issued A Proclamation

On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation restricting the entry of anyone seeking to enter or reenter the U.S. in H-1B status without payment of a new $100,000 fee. The proclamation, titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers is effective on Sunday, September 21, 2025, and is set to expire after one year.

States Split on SAVE System Over Privacy, Accuracy, and Voter

The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) government Program is administered by USCIS to allow government agencies to verify the immigration status and US citizenship of individuals applying for benefits.

General Immigration News

DOS announced that the United States and Paraguay signed a safe third country agreement, which would allow the U.S. to send some asylum seekers currently in the U.S. to Paraguay to pursue their protection claims.

DHS granted USCIS authority in Delegation

DHS granted USCIS authority in Delegation 15006 to order expedited removal, issue orders of arrest and removal, and detain noncitizens. In response to a recent FOIA lawsuit from Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP).

Termination of TPS FOR Honduras and Nicaragua

On July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the terminations of TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua. While the notice stipulates that the termination will take effect 60 days from the date of publication, the effective date will be September 8, 2025.

Deportations to Third World Countries have Begun

On Tuesday, July 15, the Department of Homeland Security announced that five migrants-originally from Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Vietnam, and Yemen-were deported to the African nation of Eswatini, a country they had no connection to. This marks the first known use of new "third-country deportation authority" authorized after a recent Supreme Court decision.

NEW IMMIGRATION FEES

New immigration fees authorized by the reconciliation bill (includes minimum amount, type, and fee waivable).

DHS announced the termination of TPS

On July 7, 2025, DHS announced the termination of TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua, effective September 8, 2025. As of today, formal notice is now published in the Federal Register. During the wind-down period, DHS will automatically extend EADs issued under these designations through the termination date. It is important to review eligibility closely, as the extensions apply only to certain EADs with specific expiration dates.

Immigration implications of the Trump Administration's Bill

Massive Increase In Elimination of Certain Deportation Funding Humanitarian Program $175 billion in new immigration funding Parole programs and Temporary +1000 new ICE agents and expanding Protected Status (TPS) face capacity to over 1 million Southern border wall constructions, blocks expanded state and local -enti-sanctuary Future parole programs without cooperation with ICE.

United States v. New York

On June 12, 2025, The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit against the state of New York to stop the Protect Our Courts Act. If overturned, this would allow federal agents to arrest immigrants at or near New York courthouses without a warrant signed by a judge

June 2025 US Travel Ban

On June 4, the presidential administration announced a policy restricting the entry of foreign nationals from designated countries into the United States, citing national security concerns. The ban took effect on June 9, 2025.

DOS WILL WORK WITH DHS TO REVOKE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS VISAS

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that DOS will work with DHS to revoke visas for Chinese students.

June 2025 US Travel Ban
On June 4, the presidential administration announced a policy restricting the entry

Yesterday in Noem, et al. v. National TPS Alliance, et al., the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of the order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on March 31, 2025, pending disposition of the appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Maintaining F-1 Student Status

As an F-1 international student in the United States, it is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status. Follow these key guidelines to stay in compliance and avoid jeopardizing your education or legal stay:

Privacy Alert: Sensitive Immigration Data at Risk

The Washington Post reports that representatives from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have gained access to the sensitive Executive Office for Immigration Review's Courts and Appeals System (ECAS), which holds personal records on millions of immigrants.

Alien Registration Requirements

Effective January 20, 2025, all non-citizens present in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with DHS under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA §1302), unless exempt.

IMMIGRATION LAW UPDATE: Trump v. J.G.G.

In a significant ruling (Trump V. J.G.G., April 7, 2025), the Supreme Court allowed the government to transfer Venezuelan nationals suspected of ties to foreign terrorist organizations to prisons in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.

Calderon Jimenez v. Mayorkase

Are you facing deportation but married to a U.S. citizen? You may qualify for relief under a new settlement agreement!!!

CHNV parol program ending

Under Executive Order 14165 signed by President Trump in January 2025, DHS is terminating all categorical parole programs that don't align with the new administration's border security priorities

Tump invokes the Enemy Aliens Act of 1798

On March 15, 2025, President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, citing national security concerns over the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan-based criminal organization labeled as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government.

Current Status of DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a U.S. immigration policy that provides recipients with employment authorization documents (EADs) and some protections against deportation. 

Updated Policy on Naturalization Civics Test Requirements

USCIS has updated its Policy Manual to implement the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, a modified version of the 2020 test, to promote assimilation, civic understanding, and attachment to U.S. constitutional principles for lawful immigrants.

USCIS Transition to "Electronic Payments" and Implements ACH Debit Payment Option for Filing Fees

Starting October 28, 2025: USCIS will accept paper checks, money orders, ACH debit payments (Form G-1650), and credit card payments (Form G-1450) for applications, petitions, and requests. This includes payments through a USCIS filing to a lockbox, service center or local field office.

Status of TPS Programs (As of September 29, 2025)

See the attached checklist to view the newly terminated TPS status.

40,000+ Visas Revoked in 2025 as U.S. Expands Continuous Monitoring

Since January 20, 2025, Department of State has revoked over 40,000 visas-including 6,000 student visas- compared to 16,000 during the same period in 2024.

Generic Clearance for the Collection of Social Media Identifiers) on Immigration Forms

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has published a notice ("Generic Clearance for the Collection of Social Media Identifier(s) on Immigration Forms").

Latest Immigration News

USCIS issued a policy memorandum on the Resumption of Personal Investigations of Aliens Applying for Naturalization (INA 335(a)).

DHS to Expedite Construction of New Border Wall

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signed a waiver to expedite construction of five miles of new border wall in Starr and Hidalgo Counties in Texas. This is the seventh such waive the Secretary has signed. About 100 miles of new border wall is currently under construction or planned.

Immigration Tips

Before You Sign Anything: If an officer presents paperwork titled Voluntary Departure, Stipulated Removal, or Waiver, ask to speak with a lawyer first. Signing could lead to your immediate removal from the United States.

Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Workplace (For Employees)

All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. constitutional rights. If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers come to your workplace, they must have either (1) a valid search warrant, or (2) consent from your employer to enter non-public areas. However, ICE can enter public areas of your workplace (such as the lobby or reception area) without a warrant or consent from your employer.

ICE Declares Millions Ineligible for Bond Hearings

A new memo from ICE's Acting Director instructs officers to detain immigrants who entered the U.S. without inspection "for the duration of their removal proceedings," which may last months or even years.

What is TPS?

Temporary Protcted Status (TPS) allows nationals from countries affected by disaster, conflict, or instability to remain and work legally in the U.S, on a temporary basis.

President Trump signed a budget bill

On July 4, 2025, the President signed a budget reconciliation bill authorizing several new feesfor immigration applications, including a $100 fee on all asylum applications. Despite no current mechanism to pay this fee, EOIR is requiring proof of payment and rejecting filings without a receipt.

New CBP Link Mobile App

U.S. Customs Border Protection announced CBP Link, a new user-friendly mobile app designed to reduce data requirements for travelers entering the United States. Th new app will include features that used to be on the CBP Home App.

Know Before you Go: Immigration Court and Hearings and ICE Arrests

People who entered the U.S. without inspection AND cannot prove continuous two-year residence in the U.S. or people whose parole has been canceled face risk of expedited removal.

Know Before you Go: Immigration Court and Hearings and ICE Arrests

Since May 2025, ICE officers have been stationed outside of immigration courtrooms and may arrest individuals. The government may dismiss (close) a case and ICE will arrest the person and initiate expedited removal (rapid deportation without another court appearance).

SCOTUS CLEARS PATH TO END CHNV PAROLE PROGRAMS

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) cleared the way for the Trump Administration to move forward with plans to dismantle the parole program for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV).

DHS ANNOUNCES HISTORIC TRAVEL ASSISTANCE AND STIPEND FOR VOLUNTARY SELF-DEPORTATION

On May 6th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App.

The U.S. Supreme Court paused the deportation of a group of Venezuelan migrants in northern Texas

According to CBS News, the Court issued the emergency order, preventing their immediate deportation under the rarely-invoked Alien Enemies Act—a wartime-era law being used by the Trump Administration. Trump has faced scrutiny in recent weeks for invoking the Act.

Alien Registration Requirements

Who is registered already? Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), Nonimmigrants issued Form I-94/1-94W (tourists, students, etc), Aliens paroled into the U.S., Aliens issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Aliens in removal proceedings, Applicants for lawful permanent residence (even if denied), Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards.

Important Announcement: Alien Registration Rule

Effective April 11, 2025, DHS's new Alien Registration Rule will officially take effect. The rule was challenged in court by AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) and other partners - but the court denied the request to pause or delay the rule.

IMPORTANT ALERT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Department of State (DOS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have intensified efforts targeting international students, even those without a history of protest or criminal convictions.

Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration's Termination of TPS

In February 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered an end to the TPS program, citing concerns that local governments were overwhelmed and that Venezuelan immigrants had connections to the international crime organization Tren de Aragua.

IRS nearing deal with ICE

The IRS is reportedly close to finalizing an agreement that would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access taxpayer data to identify and locate undocumented immigrants with final removal orders.

La Migra! Handling ICE Encounters

What to do if ICE comes to your home? Below is a flyer that summarizes your rights!