State Department Launches US$750 ‘Premium’ Interview Pilot for B-1/B-2 Visitors
Trump Administration Expands Criminal Probe Into Sponsors of Unaccompanied Migrant Children
CBP Reminder: Only e-Passports Accepted for ESTA Approvals in 2026
Latest News
State Department Launches $750 Fast-Track Pilot for B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Appointments
From 1 July 2026, the State Department will let B-1/B-2 applicants in select countries pay an optional US$750 fee to obtain a visa-interview appointment within 10 business days. The six-month pilot could help executives secure last-minute travel but adds a significant cost on top of the standard US$185 fee.
U.S. Begins Deporting Migrants to Central African Republic Under Newly Minted Bilateral Deal
A DHS charter flight has delivered 20 deportees—including Iranian asylum seekers—to Bangui under a new, still-secret U.S.–Central African Republic migration pact. Rights advocates say sending migrants to a Level-4 conflict zone violates international norms, while employers should note the growing use of third-country agreements to accelerate removals.
Nationwide Court Vacatur Ends Controversial $100,000 Supplemental Fee on New H-1B Petitions
A federal judge vacated the Trump administration’s $100,000 surcharge on new H-1B petitions, declaring it an unlawful tax imposed without statutory authority. Effective immediately, USCIS should not collect the fee, saving employers significant costs ahead of the FY 2027 cap season. The decision removes financial barriers to hiring foreign professionals and highlights ongoing legal battles over immigration fee policy.
Federal Judge Orders Immediate Compliance With Ruling Restoring Work-Permit Processing
Judge John J. McConnell said the government has “no excuse” for continuing a months-long freeze on work permits for nationals of 39 countries after he struck the policy down on June 5. The order forces USCIS to resume processing immediately, allowing employers to rehire foreign workers who lost authorization. The decision removes a critical bottleneck for U.S. companies relying on global talent and signals aggressive judicial oversight of immigration measures imposed without formal rule-making.
USCIS Reclassifies Adjustment of Status as Discretionary, Forcing More Green-Card Applicants Abroad
A June 12 USCIS memo declares that adjustment of status is a discretionary privilege, not an entitlement. The change could redirect thousands of employment-based green-card applicants to consular processing abroad, lengthening timelines and risking status gaps. Employers must reassess green-card pipelines and prepare for higher compliance costs.
ICE Arrests at Baltimore School Spark Outcry Over Enforcement in ‘Sensitive Locations’
ICE agents arrested two adults during a preschool graduation at a Baltimore public school on June 11, apparently violating Maryland’s new law barring immigration enforcement in schools. State and city officials demanded answers from DHS, while parents expressed fear for students’ safety. The incident highlights growing conflict between federal enforcement tactics and state ‘sensitive-location’ protections and raises compliance and duty-of-care issues for employers with immigrant workforces.
Congress Front-Loads US$69.5 Billion for ICE and CBP, Sidestepping Future Appropriations Battles
A reconciliation bill signed this week guarantees ICE and CBP an extra US$69.5 billion through 2029, insulating the agencies from future budget negotiations. While ports of entry may see more personnel, the law also funds large-scale detention and rapid border-wall expansion, shaping the compliance landscape for business travelers and global supply chains.
State Department Updates Nigeria Travel Advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel
On June 12 the State Department refreshed its Nigeria page, reiterating Level 3 guidance but adding detailed warnings on crime, terrorism and inadequate health care. U.S. companies sending staff to Nigeria should update duty-of-care protocols, review insurance coverage and reinforce kidnap-prevention measures.
FAA Adds DHS Authorization Pathway for Drone Flights Inside 2026 World Cup No-Fly Zones
Hours before the first U.S. World Cup match, the FAA updated its drone TFRs to let operators apply to DHS for exemptions, easing the total flight ban over stadiums. Commercial drone users gain a legal path to work, but approvals are not guaranteed and penalties remain steep for unauthorized flights.