State Department’s $750 ‘Premium’ Fee for B-1/B-2 Visa Interviews Starts July 1
TSA Forecasts Record-High 18.7 Million Travelers Over July 4 Week—Prepare for Delays
Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship, Blocking Trump Order
Latest News
Human-Smuggling Ringleader Pleads Guilty in $30 Million Cross-Border Scheme
Bloomberg Law reports that a smuggling kingpin has pleaded guilty to running a $30 million operation moving migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Latin America into the United States. The plea spotlights supply-chain vulnerabilities and bolsters congressional efforts to tighten anti-smuggling laws.
FAA Lays Groundwork for Return of Supersonic Passenger Flights Over U.S.
The FAA released a draft noise-certification standard for civil supersonic aircraft, the first regulatory step toward allowing commercial supersonic flights over U.S. land. The rule could enable next-generation jets to slash cross-country travel times, boosting corporate productivity but raising new infrastructure and sustainability questions.
U.S. Move to Exit USMCA Starts 10-Year Countdown for North-American Trade Zone
The White House will formally signal its intent not to extend USMCA, activating a 10-year review process that could end the North-American trade pact in 2036. The move injects fresh uncertainty into TN professional visas, automotive supply chains and cross-border business travel.
U.S. Lists Trade & Mobility Grievances Ahead of Canada Review, Citing Bridge and Buy-Local Barriers
The United States released a detailed list of grievances—from dairy quotas to delayed bridge construction—on the eve of the USMCA six-year review with Canada. The litany signals tougher negotiations that could affect cross-border commuting, trucking efficiency and business-visitor travel if not resolved.
TSA & Google Wallet Roll Out Nationwide Touchless ID Lanes at 65 U.S. Airports
On June 30, the TSA and Google launched Touchless ID lanes at 65 U.S. airports. Travelers who upload their passport to Google Wallet can clear TSA with a facial scan, cutting wait times and signaling a broader federal move toward mobile credentials that corporate travel managers should monitor.
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Executive Order Limiting Birthright Citizenship
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the 14th Amendment confers citizenship on almost everyone born in the United States, striking down President Trump’s order to limit birthright citizenship. The decision preserves the existing legal framework for foreign assignees’ U.S.-born children and averts widespread compliance, tax and benefits complications for multinational employers.
U.S. Issues Updated Level-3 Advisory for Venezuela After Twin Earthquakes
After two powerful earthquakes, the State Department updated its Venezuela advisory, keeping the country at Level 3 but warning of widespread infrastructure damage. U.S. companies must revisit traveller-safety protocols and consider evacuation contingencies before authorising trips.
Trump Administration to Trigger 10-Year Sunset on USMCA, Raising Mobility Uncertainty
The United States plans to invoke the USMCA’s sunset clause, starting a 10-year clock that could terminate the trade pact in 2036. The move unsettles businesses that depend on streamlined cross-border travel and preferential duty rules, forcing companies to plan for possible visa and tariff disruptions.
July 4 National Mall festivities designated National Special Security Event; mobility impacts expected
Independence Day events on July 4 have been elevated to National Special Security Event status, triggering road closures, bag restrictions and a drone flight ban across central Washington. Companies with employees or travellers in the capital should adjust commuting plans, delay drone operations and provide clear guidance on permitted items.
U.S. Supreme Court reaffirms birthright citizenship, blocking Trump executive order
The Supreme Court ruled that children born in the United States continue to receive automatic citizenship, invalidating President Trump’s 2024 order. The decision removes legal uncertainty for expatriate families, preserves the U.S. practice of granting passports at birth, and prevents additional vetting questions in visa forms. Global mobility teams can again assure assignees that U.S. births will not jeopardise a child’s nationality status.
State Department Overhauls Passport Processing; Stricter Appointments and Biometric Checks
Effective immediately, U.S. passport applications move to an appointment-only system backed by stronger biometric checks and tighter criteria for expedited service. Mobility managers should extend lead times for international assignments and educate travellers on the new documentation requirements.
Operational Disruptions Hit Six U.S. Airports, 128 Flights Delayed or Canceled
On June 30, operational issues disrupted 128 flights across six U.S. airports, causing 28 cancellations and extensive delays for carriers including United, Alaska and American. The incident highlights ongoing capacity strains and reinforces the need for contingency planning as the busy summer travel period ramps up.
TSA to Charge $45 ConfirmID Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting Feb 1, 2026
From February 1, 2026, passengers lacking a REAL ID or equivalent document will have to pay TSA’s new $45 ConfirmID fee and undergo extended screening. Employers should verify that traveling staff hold compliant IDs or risk schedule disruptions and added costs.
CBP Expands CAPE Portal to Handle Reconciliation-Flagged Entries from 29 June
Effective 29 June, CBP’s CAPE portal now accepts IEEPA duty-refund claims on reconciliation-flagged entries, streamlining refunds for thousands of importers. The upgrade removes key error triggers and should accelerate cash recovery on sanctioned-goods duties, benefitting supply-chain and mobility shipments alike.
Supreme Court Poised to Rule on Birthright Citizenship, Putting 14th Amendment Under Spotlight
A forthcoming Supreme Court ruling could upend 150 years of precedent by limiting birthright citizenship. Employers may face new sponsorship obligations for U.S.-born children of foreign assignees, while hospitals brace for compliance pressures.
Federal Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Processing for Nationals of 39 Countries
A district court has invalidated USCIS’s blanket suspension of immigration benefits for applicants from 39 designated countries, ordering the agency to resume normal adjudication. The decision removes a major processing bottleneck for employers and foreign nationals caught in months-long limbo.
Federal Court Blocks Controversial $100,000 H-1B Filing Fee—but Relief Is Only Temporary
A district court has struck down—but immediately stayed—the Biden-era US$100,000 H-1B filing fee, leaving the surcharge in effect pending appeal. The decision offers only provisional relief while new bills seek to overhaul or even pause the programme. Employers should budget conservatively and explore cap-exempt or alternate visa routes.
USCIS Issues Final Rule Overhauling Alien Registration Documents and Biometrics Waivers
A final DHS rule effective 29 June 2026 revises alien-registration regulations: introduces a universal Form I-770, narrows fingerprint waivers and updates which documents count as evidence of registration. Employers of parolees and other non-visa holders must update I-9 and policy templates to reflect the new document codes.
Hyderabad and Mumbai Now Face 9.5-Month Waits for U.S. B-1/B-2 Interviews; $750 Expedited Pilot Starts 1 July
State Department figures released 29 June show B-1/B-2 interview waits of nearly ten months at Hyderabad and Mumbai. A new optional US$750 fee will offer ten-day expedited appointments beginning 1 July, but approval times remain unchanged. Corporates should file early and consider paying the premium for time-sensitive trips.
TPS Comments by DHS Chief Spark MAGA Backlash and Confusion Over ‘Self-Deportation’ Options
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s TV comments that TPS holders could stay permanently—or accept a stipend to depart—triggered conservative outrage and raised fears of policy reversals. Employers of TPS beneficiaries should brace for potential work-authorisation turbulence.
UK Updates U.S. Travel Advice: Ebola Screening and World-Cup Crowds Highlighted
The UK has updated its travel advice for the United States, flagging possible Ebola-related entry screening and advising travelers to plan for heavy airport congestion during the U.S. leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mobility managers should factor extra time and health-compliance checks into summer travel plans.
State Department’s Switch to Pay.gov Disrupts Visa Issuance Worldwide
The State Department has begun routing many visa-issuance and reciprocity fees through Pay.gov. Glitches in the new system are preventing timely fee verification, triggering Section 221(g) holds and delaying visa issuance for business travelers. Companies should pay fees well in advance, keep receipts and build extra lead-time into assignment schedules.
State Department’s Pay.gov Rollout Triggers Consular Fee Confusion and Section 221(g) Visa Holds
The State Department has migrated many visa-issuance and reciprocity fee payments to Pay.gov. Glitches in the new system are causing consular officers to issue INA §221(g) holds, delaying visas and disrupting start-dates for multinational staff. Employers should retain digital receipts and build extra time into travel plans until the platform stabilises.
UK Updates USA Travel Advice Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup, Flags ESTA and Ebola-Region Rules
The UK’s 29 June update to its USA travel advice highlights ESTA/visa planning for the June-July 2026 FIFA World Cup and adds health-screening rules for travellers from Ebola-affected countries. Businesses should expect heavy summer demand for U.S. entry clearances and possible CBP congestion.
White House Renews National Emergency on North Korea, Keeping Travel and Trade Curbs in Place
The White House has renewed the longstanding national emergency regarding North Korea’s nuclear program, extending sanctions, export restrictions and travel curbs for another year. Firms must maintain DPRK compliance screening and continue to bar business travel to North Korea absent specific federal authorization.
Lightning Strike Knocks Out Kolkata Consulate Systems, Forcing Two-Day Cancellation of U.S. Visa Interviews
Severe storms disabled visa-processing equipment at the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata, cancelling interviews on 26 and 29 June. Hundreds of applicants now face re-booking amid already long wait-times, posing risks for business travellers relying on July start-dates.