New $250 U.S. Visa Fee to Hit Most Travelers and Workers
A new $250 “visa integrity fee” will soon apply to most U.S. visa applicants, including tourists, students, and workers, under a law signed July 4. The fee is on top of existing costs and can’t be waived. While refunds are possible for those who fully follow visa rules, the process is unclear and may take years. Employers of foreign workers may face added costs too. The law also raises other immigration fees, including for parole, asylum, and TPS. Learn more.
New USCIS Data Shows Mounting Case Backlogs, Slower Processing Times Under Trump
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published its second-quarter data for fiscal year 2025 (January–March), providing the most detailed look so far at the impact of the second Trump administration’s immigration policies. The data shows that demand, backlogs, and processing times continue to rise as approval rates shift across both family- and employment-based immigration categories. We break down the biggest trends from Q2 FY2025 and what they mean for immigrants and employers.
U.S. Investigates Harvard’s Use of J-1 Visas
The U.S. government is investigating Harvard’s use of the J-1 visa program, which brings hundreds of thousands of international students, researchers, and au pairs to the U.S. each year. While no fraud has been alleged, the move signals growing scrutiny of schools and programs that sponsor foreign nationals — especially those linked to China. Experts say the investigation could lead to more oversight of visa holders across the country.
H-1B Visa Cap Met for FY 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough H-1B visa petitions to reach the cap for fiscal year 2026 — 65,000 under the regular quota and 20,000 for advanced degree holders. No new cap-subject petitions will be accepted, though employers can still file extensions, transfers, and other cap-exempt petitions for current H-1B workers. This marks the final step in the FY 2026 process, following April’s lottery. Companies that missed out must now consider alternative visa options or plan for next year’s cap season.
H-1B Lottery Could End Under New Trump Proposal
The Trump administration is reviving a plan to scrap the current H-1B visa lottery system and replace it with a wage-based selection process. Instead of random selection, visas would go to the highest-paid applicants first, a move that could shut out international students and early-career workers. A similar rule was finalized in 2021 but never took effect. The new version is under review and could be published soon, potentially ending the H-1B lottery as early as March 2026.
Advocates Call to Shut Down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Over Inhumane Conditions
Advocacy groups are demanding the closure of Florida’s new immigrant detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” due to overcrowding, sewage leaks, and lack of medical care. Located in the mosquito-infested Everglades, the facility houses over 1,000 men in flood-prone tents. Mexico’s president confirmed 14 Mexican nationals are being held there and is seeking their repatriation. Reports include a minor being detained, hospitalizations, and dangerous health risks.