USCIS
Processing time trackers, fee schedule changes, form updates, and policy memos from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Covers service center operations, office closures, and adjudication trends.
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 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 ReckoningWhat actions should people take if they have a pending immigration application due to recent policy changes?
People with pending applications should know their rights, gather documents, contact legal help, check their status, and stay informed about updates from official sources.
Read: Debate Intensifies Over Military’s Expanding Role in Immigration PolicyWhat 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 GainNew 2025 EAD Fees for Asylum Seekers: What Could Cost Your Renewal
USCIS now charges $550 for initial asylum-related EADs from July 22, 2025; renewals cost $745 online. Applications without exact payment will be rejected after August 21, 2025. File renewals 90…
USCIS Officers to Become ICE-Like Agents Under New Rule
A September 5, 2025 final rule lets selected USCIS officers issue detainers, arrest individuals, and execute removal orders…
Trump Deploys Troops as Immigration Crackdown Expands Across US Cities
The administration’s 2025 immigration push used military support, cross-agency powers, and wider arrest authority to deport nearly 200,000…
Fresno Advocates Alarmed as USCIS Expands Enforcement Powers
DHS’s September 5, 2025 rule lets USCIS hire 1811 special agents with arrest and removal powers. Central Valley…
Green Card Holders and Self-Deportation in ICE Detention, 2025
In 2025, historic ICE detention levels and slow immigration courts force some detainees with approved green card paths…
New Comment Period for Immigrant Social Media Data Collection
USCIS proposes collecting social media handles on nine immigration forms for identity and security checks, affecting 3.5 million…
Immigration Detentions Jump 50% This Year Under Trump
ICE detention climbed to 58,766 on Sept. 7, 2025, driven by interior arrests and expanded enforcement; 70.8% lack…
ICE Reinstates Detainee Flights from Hanscom Airport Amid Surge
In early September 2025 ICE returned detainee flights to Hanscom Field under Operation Patriot 2.0 after a summer…
DHS Overhauls School and Student Forms for 2025–2026 Reporting
Federal proposals would expand Form I-17 and I-20 data fields and require five years of disaggregated IPEDS admissions…
Why Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs Persist Despite Visa Bulletin Moves
Employment-based green card backlogs remain stagnant in April 2026 due to the 7% per-country limit and fixed annual…