Immigration
Policy changes, enforcement actions, and legal developments shaping U.S. immigration in 2026. From executive orders and congressional bills to USCIS processing updates — analysis that cuts through the noise.
Top questions about Immigration
Answers from VisaVerge guidesWhat changes occurred in immigration enforcement policies in 2025?
What are the risks for people with pending immigration applications under current policies?
People with pending applications and no criminal record may be less likely to face removal under Biden, but there are no guarantees.
Read: Comparing Deportation Policies Under Obama, Trump, and Biden AdministrationsWhat are the main defense strategies for immigrants facing increased enforcement under Immigration 2026?
Immigrants can protect their liberty through bond and procedural challenges in immigration court, and protect their benefits by preparing for USCIS holds, re-reviews, and follow-up evidence requests.
Read: House Judiciary Committee Advances Immigration 2026 Bills with Stephen MillerWhat are the key developments in immigration policies for 2025-2026?
Applicants face national-origin-based holds and enhanced security vetting under new policy developments, with an indefinite pause delaying green card processing for certain countries without being an outright denial.
Read: Immigration Suspensions Spark Discrimination Concerns Amid National Security JustificationsWhat are the potential risks for immigrants with pending cases due to these policy changes?
Immigrants with pending cases face higher arrest risks and should be aware that they could still be arrested by ICE if they are believed to be in the country without legal status.
Read: ICE Expands Arrest Discretion Near Courthouses Amid Legal Concerns
Germany offers cash to vulnerable Afghans to halt migration efforts
Germany is offering staged cash incentives — including up to €10,000 starter bonuses and initial payments in Pakistan — to about 2,000–2,300 Afghans who had approved relocation to Germany but…
Duke Faculty and Staff Face Disruption Under H-1B Restrictions
A $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B petitions effective September 21, 2025, has disrupted Duke’s hiring, paused medical…
Immigrant Advocates and ACLU Challenge Marathon County ICE Detainers
ACLU Wisconsin and Voces de la Frontera asked the state Supreme Court to bar sheriffs from honoring ICE…
CoreCivic Sees 55% Rise in Immigration Detainee Contracts
In 2025 CoreCivic grew immigration-detainee contracts by 55%, boosting Q2 revenue to $538.2 million and adding over 5,700…
ICE Claims Visa Expired; Diocese Says Priest Had Legal Work Permit
Rev. James Eliud Ngahu Mwangi was detained by ICE on October 25, 2025; the Diocese says he had…
German Visa Delays Leave Iranian Families Stranded and Separated
Following the June 16 embassy closure, over 6,000 Iranian visa applicants face months-long delays—especially 4,000 family-reunification cases. Students…
DHS Ends Automatic EAD Renewals; Advocates Warn of Broader Deportations
Effective October 30, 2025, DHS ended automatic EAD extensions for most renewal filers, requiring them to stop work…
Orange County Jail Faces Renewed Allegations of Shoddy Medical Care
A NYLPI report (Oct 2025) found systemic medical failures at Orange County Jail across 19 detainee records: 20…
Columbia Faces Drop in International Applicants for 2025 Cycle
International enrollment at Columbia drops to 16% for fall 2025 from 20% a year earlier amid nationwide visa…
DOJ Fires Immigrant-Defense Judges Amid Controversial Staffing Changes
DOJ removals in 2025 ousted scores of immigration judges—especially those with defense backgrounds—while hiring enforcement-oriented replacements. Critics warn…