This Week in Immigration: April 3, 2026

U.S. Immigration News

New Election Order Could Change How Citizenship Is Verified for Voting

Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at tightening citizenship verification in federal elections, directing agencies to create a national database of U.S. citizens and introducing new rules for mail-in ballots. The order is expected to face legal challenges and may not take full effect before the 2026 midterms. Still, experts warn it could create confusion, particularly for naturalized citizens, who are more likely to encounter errors in federal records used to verify voter eligibility. Democrats have already filed a lawsuit to block the measure, arguing it oversteps presidential authority

U.S. Proposes Major H-1B Wage Hike, With Entry-Level Pay Up 33%

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a sweeping overhaul of how prevailing wages are set for H-1B and other foreign worker programs, including H-1B1, E-3, and PERM. The rule would raise wage thresholds across all four tiers, with entry-level salaries increasing by about 33%. DOL says the current system undervalues foreign workers and may undercut U.S. wages. The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days, with employers urged to assess potential cost impacts now.

U.S. Expands Social Media Screening to Fiancé and Other Visa Applicants

The U.S. Department of State has expanded social media vetting to more than a dozen additional visa categories, including K-1 fiancé visas, religious workers, and trafficking and crime victims, effective March 30, 2026. Applicants must disclose all social media accounts used in the past five years and are expected to make profiles publicly viewable during processing. Officials say the policy is aimed at identifying security risks. Failure to disclose accounts or limit visibility may result in delays or visa denials.

Supreme Court Appears Skeptical About Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of Donald Trump’s executive order to limit birthright citizenship during oral arguments this week. Several justices questioned whether the president has the authority to exclude children of undocumented immigrants under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The case challenges more than a century of legal precedent. A decision is expected in June, with major implications for immigration policy and the scope of executive power.

Congress Moves to End DHS Funding Standoff After Partial Shutdown

Republican leaders, including John Thune and Mike Johnson, say Congress will pursue a two-step plan to resolve the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding impasse. Lawmakers aim to pass a short-term bill to end the partial shutdown, followed by a longer-term measure funding immigration enforcement and border security. The standoff, driven by disputes over immigration enforcement limits, left some DHS workers unpaid for weeks. Donald Trump has urged swift action, calling for a deal by June 1.

About 9% of U.S. Births in 2023 Were to Unauthorized or Temporary Immigrant Mothers

Roughly 320,000 babies — about 9% of all U.S. births in 2023 — were born to mothers without permanent legal status, according to new data. Analysis from the Pew Research Center finds that about 260,000 of those children would not have qualified for citizenship under Trump’s proposed limits on birthright citizenship. Births to unauthorized immigrants have fluctuated with migration trends, declining after 2006 and rising again in recent years. The data underscores the potential scope of changes now under review by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Global Immigration News

Canada Halts Removals to Gulf Countries Amid Safety Concerns

Canada has temporarily paused deportations to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, citing unstable conditions and risks to civilians. The measure, known as an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR), allows affected individuals to remain in Canada unless they are deemed inadmissible for reasons such as criminality or security concerns. Officials say removals will resume once conditions improve. The move follows a similar pause on removals to Israel and Lebanon last year.

Czechia Set to Raise EU Blue Card Salary Threshold in May 2026

Czechia is expected to increase the minimum salary for EU Blue Card applicants to at least 73,833 CZK per month starting May 1, 2026. The annual adjustment reflects rising national wages and is in line with EU rules requiring salaries to reach 1.5 times the national average. Final confirmation from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is expected closer to the effective date. The change will raise the threshold for highly skilled foreign workers seeking residence and employment in the country.

{{cta-component-horizontal-aligned}}