Policy Updates
Immigration policy changes from the Federal Register, explained in plain language.
White House Proclaims War on Cartels — What It Could Mean for Immigration Enforcement
President Trump signed a proclamation on March 7, 2026, formally declaring a commitment to dismantling cartels and foreign terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere. While the document focuses on military and foreign policy, its broader enforcement context — including expanded FTO designations — has real implications for asylum seekers, undocumented immigrants, and visa holders with any cartel-related ties.
White House EO Targets Cybercrime TCOs — Visa Restrictions and Sanctions on the Table
President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to crack down on foreign transnational criminal organizations behind ransomware, scam centers, and fraud schemes. The order puts visa restrictions, sanctions, and even diplomat expulsions on the table for nations that shelter these operations. While not an immigration rule change, visa holders from countries linked to cybercrime TCOs could face collateral scrutiny.
DHS Ends Yemen TPS: Thousands Lose Protected Status by May 4
The Department of Homeland Security is terminating Temporary Protected Status for Yemen, stripping legal protections from Yemeni nationals in the US effective May 4, 2026. Yemeni TPS holders will lose their right to remain in the US and their work authorization — unless they have another valid immigration status. With the deadline just weeks away, affected individuals need to act now.
DHS Ends Yemen TPS: Thousands Lose Protected Status on May 4
The Department of Homeland Security is terminating Temporary Protected Status for Yemen, effective May 4, 2026 — ending deportation protection and work authorization for Yemeni nationals who've relied on TPS since 2015. DHS says conditions in Yemen have improved enough to no longer justify the designation, a conclusion many advocates are likely to dispute. If you hold Yemen TPS, you have weeks to understand your options before your status disappears.
EOIR Mandates E-Filing for Immigration Enforcement Cases at OCAHO Starting Now
The Justice Department's immigration review office just flipped a switch — electronic filing is now required for cases before OCAHO, the tribunal that handles employer immigration violations. If you're an employer, attorney, or HR professional involved in I-9 audits or employer sanctions cases, your paperwork process just changed. The rule is already in effect, but comments are open until April 1.
EOIR Requires Electronic Filing for Immigration Enforcement Cases at OCAHO
The Justice Department's immigration court arm is going digital: all cases before the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO) must now be filed electronically. The rule took effect immediately on March 2, 2026, changing how employers, workers, and attorneys submit documents in I-9, immigration discrimination, and civil penalty cases. If you're involved in an OCAHO proceeding, your filing process just changed.
DHS Proposes to Block Asylum Seekers from Work Permits for a Year — or Longer
The Department of Homeland Security wants to double the wait time before asylum applicants can apply for a work permit — and could pause new applications entirely for years if immigration backlogs stay high. If finalized, this rule would fundamentally reshape who can work legally while waiting for an asylum decision. You have until April 24 to comment.
SEC Proposes Changes to Fund Portfolio Reporting Form N-PORT — Not an Immigration Rule
The SEC has proposed amendments to Form N-PORT, a portfolio reporting requirement for registered investment companies such as mutual funds and ETFs. This rule has no connection to immigration, visas, or work authorization and does not affect F-1 students, H-1B workers, or any other visa holders. The Visa Pulse covers this document only to note it is outside our editorial scope.
DHS Proposes Major Restrictions on Work Permits for Asylum Applicants
The Department of Homeland Security is proposing sweeping changes to how asylum seekers can obtain work authorization, including doubling the waiting period from 180 to 365 days and creating a mechanism to pause all new work permit applications entirely. If finalized, the rule would also add new eligibility bars and extend USCIS processing time for these applications from 30 to 180 days. Public comments are due by April 24, 2026.
HUD Proposes Stricter Immigration Checks for All Public Housing Applicants
HUD wants to require immigration status verification for every person seeking public or assisted housing assistance — regardless of age. Under current rules, elderly applicants and some family members are exempt. If finalized, mixed-status families could lose indefinite prorated housing assistance and face a hard deadline to prove eligibility. Comments are open through April 21, 2026.
HUD Proposes Stricter Immigration Status Checks for Public Housing and Section 8 Recipients
HUD is proposing to require immigration status verification for all applicants and recipients of federal housing assistance, regardless of age. The rule would also make prorated assistance — currently available indefinitely to mixed-status families — a temporary measure pending full household verification. Public comments are due by April 21, 2026.
PHMSA Grants 25 Hazardous Materials Special Permits, Denies One in February 2026
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published its latest batch of special permit actions, granting 25 applications and denying one. These permits allow companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Amazon, and Korean Air Lines to transport or package hazardous materials under conditions that differ from standard federal regulations. Comments on these actions are due by March 19, 2026.