USCIS Moves to End H-1B Extension Deference Under 8 C.F.R. § 214.1(c)(5)
DHS proposes ending required deference to prior approvals in repeat Form I-129 extensions, including H-1B cases. Officers could reassess eligibility even...
Top questions about USCIS
Answers from VisaVerge guidesWhat new policies were introduced by USCIS in 2025?
New policies included stricter naturalization testing and the termination of multiple humanitarian parole programs.
Read: USCIS End-of-Year Review Highlights Rigorous Immigration Enforcement ActionsWhat changes did the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announce in 2025?
USCIS announced inflation adjustments that increased premium processing fees, with Form I-129 increasing from $2,805 to $2,965 and Form I-140 rising to $2,965.
Read: UK Government Hikes Immigration and Visa Fees, Canada and Germany GainWhat enforcement approach did DHS and USCIS implement as of January 2026?
DHS and USCIS implemented a zero-release and mandatory detention approach as of January 3, 2026, pushing longer immigration detention and fewer releases while deportation cases move through the system.
Read: How Long Can Immigration Detention Last Before Deportation Under Current LawWhat actions were taken by federal agencies in January 2026 that affected immigration processes?
On January 14, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) paused immigrant visa processing for 75 countries effective January 21, 2026. On January 15, 2026, USCIS announced Operation PARRIS to re-examine refugee cases for fraud/security.
Read: Family Self-Departs U.S. After 11-Year Green Card Backlog ReckoningHow did USCIS's new policy affect family-based immigration applications starting August 1, 2025?
USCIS gained the power to deny applications without first sending an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny, increasing the risk of outright denial for families with minor mistakes.
Read: 2025 Family-Based Immigration Backlogs and 2026 Developments
IRS Delays EITC and ACTC Refunds Under PATH Act Until Late February 2024
The IRS must hold the full refund until at least February fifteenth if a return claims the Earned…
H.R. 1 Immigration Fees for FY 2027: Every New Amount From October 16, 2026
Five H.R. 1 immigration fees rise on October 16, 2026, including parole ($1,050) and initial asylum, parole and…
DHS Proposes Ending Deference to Prior USCIS Approvals Under 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5)
DHS proposes ending USCIS’s general deference to earlier approvals for certain worker-extension petitions. If finalized, officers could review…
DHS Rule Ends 540-Day Automatic Extension for Employment Authorization Documents
Most EAD renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, no longer receive an automatic work-authorization extension while…
Citizenship Approvals Fall 76% at USCIS Field Offices; San Jose Down 96%
Key Takeaways USCIS field offices approved 57,697 N-400s in Apr-Jun 2026, down 76% from 241,326 a year earlier.…
Federal Court Orders Block $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Petitions
Employers can currently file covered H-1B petitions without the separate $100,000 fee under federal court orders. The California…
UK Removes Appendix AR (EU), Statement of Changes HC 584, Appendix EU (family Permit) Review
The UK formally removed the EU Settlement Scheme’s administrative-review rules on October 8, 2026. New applications to that…
USCIS Filing Rejections Rise as FY 2027 H.R. 1 Fee Hits October 16, 2026
Covered USCIS requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026, need the updated FY 2027 H.R. 1 fee.…
ICE Chief Orders 3,000 Arrests Daily, 19,000 Weekly, with Removal Proceedings
ICE leaders reportedly instructed agents to pursue 3,000 arrests daily and 19,000 weekly, though DHS says the figures…