Changes from USCIS, the State Department, the immigration courts and federal judges that can affect people applying for green cards, citizenship, asylum, visas or bond. We review official sources every day and explain what each change means in plain language.
Work-based green cards
Labor Department suspends eight employers from the PERM green card process
The Department of Labor stopped accepting new PERM labor certifications, and is not processing pending ones, for Microsoft, Adobe, Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata and Wipro. It has not said how long the suspension will last.
Who is affected
Employees whose green card cases are sponsored by one of these eight companies. Other employers are not affected, and current work visas do not change.
What to do
Keep your current status valid and ask us whether another path to a green card is open to you.
Lawsuit challenges USCIS policies on green cards from inside the U.S.
A coalition of immigrants, unions and advocacy groups sued in federal court in Massachusetts over two USCIS policies. A May 2026 memo tells officers to treat applying for a green card inside the U.S. (adjustment of status) as a matter of discretion, where choosing not to process abroad can count against the applicant. An August policy lets officers deny some applications without first sending a request for evidence. Both policies remain in effect while the case goes forward.
Who is affected
People applying for a green card from inside the U.S., including spouses and parents of U.S. citizens.
What to do
File complete, well-documented applications the first time, and show your ties to the U.S. (family, work, community). Read our marriage green card guide.
Supreme Court will decide whether people who entered without inspection get bond hearings
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on the government's policy of holding people who entered without inspection, and were later arrested inside the U.S., without a bond hearing. Most federal appeals courts have rejected that policy.
In Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware: on August 28, 2026, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals held in Buele Morocho v. Warden Philadelphia FDC that these detainees are entitled to a bond hearing. That decision applies here unless the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Who is affected
People detained by ICE who entered without inspection, and their families.
What to do
If a family member is detained in our region, call us right away about a bond hearing. See what to do first.
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: big jump for spouses and children of green card holders
In the first bulletin of the new fiscal year, the F2A category (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) moved to a final action date of September 22, 2026 for most countries and March 22, 2026 for Mexico. The F2A "dates for filing" chart is current for all countries, so many families can file their green card applications now.
Who is affected
Families with pending I-130 petitions, especially spouses and children of green card holders.
What to do
Check your priority date against the bulletin and ask us whether you can file now.
TN, TD and I visa applicants must make social media profiles public
The State Department now requires these applicants to set all social media profiles to public for screening. Similar rules already apply to student, exchange visitor, H-1B and K-1 fiancé(e) visa applicants.
Who is affected
Mexican and Canadian professionals applying for TN visas, their TD family members, and foreign media (I visa) applicants.
Starting October 23, some deadlines that fall on a weekend will no longer move to Monday
For paper filings received on or after October 23, 2026, USCIS will no longer extend deadlines tied to eligibility, such as filing a Special Immigrant Juvenile petition before turning 21, to the next business day when they fall on a weekend or holiday. Deadlines counted as a number of days still get the extension.
Who is affected
Young people close to age 21 seeking SIJ status, and anyone with an age-based or date-based filing deadline.
What to do
Do not wait until the last day. Plan to file at least a week early.
New public charge rules and a new Form I-485 are in effect
DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge rule. Officers now weigh factors such as age, health, finances and education more broadly when deciding whether a green card applicant is likely to depend on public benefits, and a new edition of Form I-485 is required. Twenty-two states and Washington, D.C. have sued to stop the rule.
Who is affected
Most family-based green card applicants. Refugees, asylees and some other humanitarian categories are generally exempt from the public charge test.
What to do
Use the current I-485 edition and gather strong proof of income, health insurance and your sponsor's finances. Talk to us before cancelling any benefits for your family.
USCIS may contact neighbors and employers of citizenship applicants
New USCIS guidance confirms that officers can conduct neighborhood investigations, which may include interviews with neighbors, coworkers or employers, to check good moral character. Not every applicant gets one. Applicants may submit character reference letters, which USCIS can consider when deciding whether to waive the investigation.
Who is affected
People with N-400 applications pending or filed on or after August 25, 2026.
What to do
Consider including reference letters with your application. See our citizenship guide.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, fees and court decisions change quickly, and every case is different. Talk to a lawyer before you act on any of these changes.