This Week in Immigration: August 28, 2026

U.S. Immigration News

Court overturns 75-country visa ban

A federal judge has struck down the Trump administration’s suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, ruling that the State Department exceeded its authority. The policy had halted immigrant visa issuance for affected applicants based on concerns they could become a “public charge.” The ruling removes that particular restriction, although the administration could appeal. The decision comes amid a broader series of changes affecting legal immigration and visa processing.

U.S. pauses immigrant visa processing abroad

The State Department has paused immigrant visa processing at U.S. consulates worldwide, creating new uncertainty for people seeking green cards from outside the United States. The move affects consular processing rather than adjustment of status applications filed from within the U.S. For applicants abroad, the pause could mean delayed interviews and visa decisions, while employers and families may face longer waits. The action comes shortly after a federal judge struck down the administration’s separate 75-country immigrant visa suspension.

DHS proposes $103,265 H-1B fee

The Trump administration has proposed a new $103,265 fee for certain H-1B cap petitions, potentially adding a six-figure cost for employers sponsoring new H-1B workers. DHS estimates the fee would apply to roughly 85,000 petitions annually and generate about $8.8 billion to support costs across the immigration system. The proposal is separate from the administration’s earlier $100,000 H-1B fee, which was blocked in court. The new fee is not yet final and is subject to a 30-day public comment period.

September Visa Bulletin brings major family-based movement

The September Visa Bulletin brings significant movement across several family-sponsored green card categories, including advances of more than a year in some categories. F-2A is current, while F-1, F-2B, F-3, and F-4 all move forward for many countries. Employment-based results are more mixed: EB-2 is current for most countries but unavailable for India, while India’s EB-5 unreserved category is also unavailable. USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart for family cases and Final Action Dates for employment cases.

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