U.S. Supreme Court Opens New Term With High-Stakes Immigration Docket
Labor Watchdog Teases “Big Week Ahead” as Trump-Vance Team Eyes New H-1B Crackdown
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s $100,000 H-1B Filing Fee—For Now
Latest News
USCIS Ends Weekend ‘Birthday Grace-Period’ for Age-Sensitive Filings
A USCIS policy taking effect Oct 23 eliminates the extra business-day cushion for filings tied to a beneficiary’s 21st birthday. Missing the exact birthday deadline could push dependents into slower visa categories, so employers should file early and budget for rush delivery.
New Federal Rules Strip Medicaid Coverage From Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants
Federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for many humanitarian immigrants ended on Oct 1 under a 2025 reconciliation law. State data released Oct 4 suggest at least 281,000 people will lose coverage this month, with Florida hardest hit. Employers and mobility planners should brace for higher private-insurance costs and workforce health-care gaps.
Court Could Green-Light Federal ‘Citizenship Lists’ Built From Immigration Data Before Midterms
Democracy Docket reports that a federal ruling may soon clear the way for Trump-era ‘citizenship lists’ built from immigration databases, potentially leading to mistaken voter purges before the 2026 midterms. Naturalized employees could face registration challenges and should prepare documentation.
Immigration Bottleneck Leaves Cruise Passengers Waiting Hours at Seattle Pier
A Norwegian Cruise Line call in Seattle turned into a multi-hour wait when every passenger had to clear CBP inspection—a requirement triggered because the voyage originated in Canada. The episode highlights how mixed-port cruises can activate full U.S. entry rules, creating unexpected delays for business and leisure travellers who fail to plan for immigration formalities.
AFP Report Highlights Lack of Legal Counsel for Migrant Children in U.S. Deportation Hearings
An Oct 4 AFP report details how children—some under two years old—are appearing alone in U.S. immigration courts as federal funding for legal representation dries up. Without counsel, deportation rates skyrocket, posing humanitarian and workforce-stability risks for employers with immigrant staff.
New Fiscal Year Brings Shifting Green-Card Dates, Broader Public-Charge Test and Upcoming EB-5 Fee Hikes
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin resets priority dates, allowing earlier I-485 filings in many categories even as some dates retrogress. At the same time, a tougher public-charge test now applies to new adjustment applications, and EB-5 investors face steep fee increases from 30 November. Employers should reassess green-card timelines, update budgeting models and counsel assignees on the expanded Form I-485 requirements.
Federal Court Halts Controversial $100,000 H-1B Supplemental Fee
A California federal judge has enjoined USCIS, CBP and the State Department from collecting or enforcing a US$100,000 supplemental fee on H-1B petitions, finding the policy likely unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act. The move immediately lifts a huge financial burden for employers hiring or retaining foreign professionals, although the underlying presidential proclamations could still be revived through formal rule-making.