A summary of the most important U.S. immigration news from the past few weeks, updated weekly. This roundup highlights policy changes, USCIS updates, court rulings, and other developments that may affect immigrants and their families.
IMMIGRATION NEWS FOR WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 2, 2026
[Top Story] Spouses of Green Card Holders Are Now Weeks From the Front of the Line
The State Department’s October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first of fiscal year 2027, advances the F2A final action date for spouses and minor children of green card holders by one month to September 22, 2026, for most countries. That leaves the category only weeks behind real time. The F2A Dates for Filing chart remains current for every country.
Mexico and the Philippines saw the largest family-based gains. For Mexico, F1 advances eight months to September 8, 2008, F2A advances seven months to March 22, 2026, and F2B advances 15 months to May 15, 2010. For the Philippines, F1 moves to November 1, 2013, F2B to October 1, 2013, F3 to July 22, 2006, and F4 to May 15, 2008. India’s F4 date advances to December 15, 2006. Worldwide F1, F2B, F3 and F4 dates did not change.
Employment-based applicants from most countries moved the other way. Worldwide EB-2 retrogressed from current to January 1, 2025, and EB-3 moved back from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024. The State Department said the retrogression keeps visa issuance within annual limits.
USCIS will accept the Dates for Filing chart for both family-sponsored and employment-based adjustment of status applications in October. Under that chart, most F2B applicants with priority dates before September 1, 2019, and most F3 applicants with priority dates before November 1, 2014, may file Form I-485 if otherwise eligible.
What it means for immigrants:
If your family is waiting in a family category, compare your priority date with this month’s Dates for Filing chart, not just the Final Action chart. If your date now qualifies, gather your documents and consider filing while the window is open. For an easy way to estimate, use CitizenPath's Green Card Wait Time Estimator →
Other Key Immigration Updates
Supreme Court Takes Up Bond Hearing Fight
The Supreme Court agreed on October 1 to decide whether the government can hold immigrants without bond hearings while their deportation cases proceed. The policy applies to people who entered without inspection, however long ago. Most appeals courts have rejected it; the 5th and 8th Circuits upheld it.
Asylum, TPS and Parole Fees Rise October 16
USCIS published inflation increases to fees created by H.R. 1. The annual asylum fee rises to $105, initial asylum, parole and TPS work permits to $570, and the TPS fee to $520. Requests postmarked October 16 or later without the new fee will be rejected.
Social Media Checks Expand to TN Visas
Starting October 1, the State Department requires TN, TD and I visa applicants to set all social media profiles to public. That covers USMCA professionals, their dependents and foreign media workers. Similar screening already applies to student, exchange visitor, H-1B and K-1 fiancé applicants.
ICE Losing New Hires at Record Pace
A USA TODAY analysis found ICE hired nearly 12,000 full-time workers between January 2025 and June 2026. Just over 2,900 left in the first half of 2026, more than any prior full year. Fired employees had a median tenure under four months.
What It Means for Immigrants
- Bond hearings head to the Supreme Court: If a relative is detained, keep asking about bond eligibility. Until the Court rules, the answer may depend on which state they are held in.
- Humanitarian filing fees rise: Planning to file for asylum, TPS or parole benefits? Check the fee before mailing. Anything postmarked October 16 or later needs the new amount.
- Social media checks expand: TN and TD applicants should review their public profiles before applying and make sure online details match their application, résumé and work history.
- ICE turnover: Many officers are new to the job. Keep key documents and an immigration attorney’s phone number handy, and learn your basic rights during an encounter.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
[Top Story] Medicaid Cutoff Arrives Oct. 1 for Many Refugees, Asylees and Other Lawful Immigrants
Beginning October 1, 2026, new federal rules will restrict Medicaid and CHIP eligibility for many lawfully present immigrants, including some refugees and asylees, potentially leaving 100,000 more people uninsured by 2034, according to KFF.
Draft IRS Tax Form Asks About Citizenship
The IRS released a draft 2026 Form 1040 that, for the first time, asks whether filers are citizens, nationals or authorized to work. The question supports proposed limits on refundable credits. It is not final and would first appear on returns filed in 2027.
H-1B Fee Renewed, Layoffs Now Scrutinized
On September 18, President Trump extended the $100,000 H-1B fee through September 21, 2027. A separate executive order directs agencies to weigh employer layoffs. Forbes reports the fee remains blocked by a federal court ruling while the appeal continues.
Visa Lottery Winners Near Final Deadline
Diversity Visa eligibility for DV-2026 selectees ends September 30, and unused visas do not carry over. The State Department told consulates to resume processing on September 10, but attorneys report little movement at most posts.
State Department Targets Birth Tourism Networks
On September 23, the State Department announced visa restrictions on people who engage in or facilitate birth tourism. The policy targets network operators, visa "fixers" who coach applicants and foreign medical providers who support the practice.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
[Top Story] Court Order Blocks September Deadline — and USCIS Postpones New Form I-765
A federal court blocked DHS’s fixed-admission rule for F, J and I nonimmigrants, delaying implementation and restoring prior USCIS rules and older Form I-765 and I-539 editions.
States Sue to Stop the Public Charge Rule
A coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia filed suit Sept. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The attorneys general argue the rule exceeds DHS authority and is arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, and they ask the court to vacate it.
Mixed-Status Households Weigh Dropping Coverage
Between 1.4 million and 4.1 million Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in mixed-status households could disenroll under the rule taking effect Sept. 18, according to KFF estimates reported by Stateline. DHS projects federal and state spending could fall by close to $9 billion a year as a result.
Salvadoran Work Permits Fall Into Limbo
Temporary Protected Status for roughly 200,000 Salvadorans lapsed Sept. 9 without a DHS decision on renewal. Employers who cannot confirm whether their workers' authorization remains valid have started layoffs, The Washington Post reported, and businesses in the D.C. region say they expect more.
A New Fiscal Year Resets the Green Card Lines
Fiscal year 2027 begins Oct. 1, the point at which annual immigrant visa numbers reset and categories that ran out of visas late in the year can reopen. USCIS has not yet designated the October filing charts, but they are expected soon.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
[Top Story] Adjustment of Status Filers Face Several Important Deadlines This Week
Four USCIS changes hit adjustment applicants between Sept. 15 and Oct. 1, including new editions of Forms I-864, I-765 and I-485, plus revised public charge rules.
Students Get a Clock Instead of a Program
"Duration of status" ends Sept. 15 for F, J and I nonimmigrants under a DHS final rule. F and J admissions run up to four years from the program start date, the F-1 grace period drops from 60 days to 30, and extensions require Form I-539.
Court Keeps Tax Records Away From ICE
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Sept. 9 upheld an injunction blocking the IRS from sharing taxpayer data with ICE. Judge Cornelia Pillard wrote that the arrangement automated review of millions of records without individual review.
Diversity Visa Cases Ordered Back Into Motion
A federal court in the Northern District of California temporarily vacated the USCIS memo that had frozen Diversity Visa adjustment applications. USCIS was ordered to resume ordinary adjudication of the plaintiffs' pending applications for the remainder of the DV fiscal year.
H-2B Cap Closes for the Winter Half
USCIS announced Sept. 11 that it received enough petitions to meet the H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year 2027. Sept. 4 was the final receipt date for petitions requesting start dates before April 1, 2027.
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Immigration rules and policies change frequently. Staying informed helps families avoid mistakes, missed deadlines, or unexpected consequences. This weekly roundup focuses on developments that have practical, real-world impact. Sign up for the free CitizenPath newsletter and empower your journey with timely, trustworthy support.
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