STAY AHEAD
Policy Tracker
Follow major U.S. immigration rules through proposals, scheduled changes and court developments. Open each report for its sources and check the latest official status before relying on it.
POLICY DEVELOPMENTS
12 rules we are tracking
Public charge standard
DHS's rule took effect September 18, and USCIS now applies broader public charge guidance to Form I-485 filings on or after that date. Lawsuits from states and cities challenging the rule are pending.
Read updateF and J duration of status
A federal court in Massachusetts preliminarily enjoined the rule on September 14, one day before it was due to take effect. F, J and I nonimmigrants continue to be admitted for duration of status while the case proceeds.
Read court update60-day grace period proposal
DHS published the proposal in the Federal Register on September 11 and is taking comments through November 10. It is not in effect, and the current grace period remains available.
Read updateH-1B $100,000 payment
A September 18 proclamation renews the payment requirement for covered H-1B workers outside the United States through September 21, 2027. A June court order vacating the policy that carried out the earlier proclamation is on appeal.
Read updateDiversity Visa processing
The State Department said on August 31 that its December 2025 pause ended under a court order, but it announced a new pause on all Diversity Visa issuances. Interviews continue. USCIS was ordered to resume paused adjustment cases for a certified class. Unused FY 2026 numbers expire September 30.
Read update75-country visa suspension
A federal court vacated the State Department's immigrant visa suspension for nationals of 75 countries on August 21, and the department says it is no longer in effect. Affected cases return to individual review.
Read updateImmigrant visa interviews
The State Department paused immigrant visa interviews worldwide in late August for consular officer training. No resume date had been announced in the reports TR Immigration reviewed, so check with the embassy or consulate handling your case.
Read updateUSCIS hold on 39 countries
On August 24, a federal court enjoined two USCIS memos that paused decisions on applications from applicants from 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority, and certified a class. USCIS said it will comply while it considers an appeal.
Read court updateUSCIS mandatory e-filing
In effect since August 11. USCIS may now require online filing for forms available online for at least 180 days, with 60 days of notice on its website. No form is online-only yet, and comments are due October 13.
Read updateOPT fee proposal
DHS's Optional Practical Training fee proposal cleared White House review on September 11. TR Immigration found no Federal Register publication as of September 21, so no fee amount is official.
Read updateTPS for El Salvador
The designation was scheduled to end September 9. USCIS said that day that a decision will be made at the appropriate time and that Salvadoran TPS holders retain protection, including work authorization, until then.
Read updateChildren of foreign government employees
Coverage of the DHS rule and the limits imposed by a court.
Read update