A concise 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 FEBRUARY 13, 2026
[Top Story] DHS Shutdown — What Stops, What Keeps Running, and What It Means for Immigrants
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, after Congress and the White House failed to reach a funding deal tied to immigration enforcement reforms.
What keeps running (and why it matters for immigrants):
- ICE and CBP enforcement operations continue. Multiple reports say the shutdown is not expected to interrupt the administration’s enforcement campaign, largely because ICE and CBP can rely on funding provided through last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
- Law enforcement and “life/safety” functions continue. DHS’s funding-lapse rules generally allow “exempt” activities, including law enforcement and protection of life and property.
- USCIS continues most work because it’s fee-funded. Most USCIS operations keep going during a shutdown (and staff are generally paid) because they are primarily funded by application fees, not annual appropriations.
What stops or scales back:
- E-Verify and certain USCIS programs funded by appropriations may pause. Federal News Network reports that a shutdown curtails certain USCIS programs that rely on congressional appropriations, including E-Verify.
- TSA screening continues, but workers may go unpaid, increasing delay risk over time. TSA screeners are largely “essential,” so airports keep operating, but prolonged shutdowns can translate into longer lines if staffing gets strained.
- FEMA disaster reimbursement and recovery work can be disrupted. FEMA can keep lifesaving response going, but agency leaders have warned that shutdown conditions severely disrupt reimbursements to states and complicate longer-term recovery.
- Coast Guard training may be suspended. Reports say some non-emergency functions like training may pause, even as critical missions continue. Most USCIS operations keep going during a shutdown (and staff are generally paid) because they are primarily funded by application fees, not annual appropriations.
What it means for immigrants:
If you’re dealing with ICE/CBP enforcement, detention, or border issues, expect those systems to keep moving. If you’re filing with USCIS, most processing continues, but employer verification and some support programs (like E-Verify) can be affected, and broader shutdown strain can ripple into delays and staffing disruptions.
Other Key Immigration Updates
DHS Ends TPS for Yemen
DHS announced it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, impacting about 1,400 people. DHS says protections end 60 days after the Federal Register notice.
Senators Push Back on Proposed CBP Social Media Disclosure for Visa-Waiver Travelers
Two senators urged the administration to drop a CBP proposal that would require many Visa Waiver Program/ESTA travelers to provide social media handles from the past five years, warning it could chill travel.
State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Certain Nationalities
The State Department announced an immigrant visa issuance pause for nationals of certain countries under a “high risk of public benefits reliance” policy update effective January 21, 2026.
USCIS: FY 2026 Supplemental H-2B Cap Reached for the First Allocation
USCIS posted that it has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the first tranche of additional 18,490 H-2B visas for FY 2026.
What It Means for Immigrants
- DHS ends TPS for Yemen: TPS holders should plan now — explore family-based options, asylum-related relief if eligible, or other pathways before the termination window closes.
- ESTA social media proposal: Extra vetting can increase delays and uncertainty for short-term visitors; travelers should keep applications accurate and consistent across forms.
- Immigrant visa pause: If you’re going through consular processing from an affected country, prepare for longer timelines and consider whether you may qualify to adjust status in the U.S.
- H-2B cap reached: Employers and workers should move early for future allocations and watch USCIS updates — late filings may miss the window.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 6, 2026
[Top Story] Trump Signals a “Softer Touch” Is Needed on Immigration
President Trump said his immigration enforcement could use a “softer touch” after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, even as about 2,000 officers stay and broader operations continue.
700 Officers Leaving Minnesota — Operation Continues
Homan announced an immediate reduction of 700 federal immigration officers, citing new cooperation from local jails, while emphasizing that mass deportation operations will continue and ~2,000 officers remain.
DHS Officers in Minneapolis to Wear Body Cameras
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said all DHS officers on the ground in Minneapolis will be issued body-worn cameras, with plans to expand nationally as funding allows.
Congress Haggles Over DHS Funding and Enforcement Limits
With a funding deadline looming next week, lawmakers are negotiating oversight measures such as mask limits, identification requirements, and constraints on broad raids. Prospects for a sweeping reform package remain uncertain.
DOJ Appoints 33 New Immigration Judges, Many with Military Backgrounds
The Trump administration named 33 immigration judges, including 27 temporary judges drawn from military JAG ranks, as part of a court overhaul aimed at speeding deportation cases across 15 states amid a 3.2 million-case backlog.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 30, 2026
[Top Story] DOJ Opens Civil-Rights Probe of Border Patrol Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
The DOJ has opened a civil-rights investigation into the Minneapolis shooting death of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents, with the FBI leading the probe as federal use-of-force scrutiny grows.
Lawsuit Challenges ICE Home-Entry Policy without Judicial Warrants
Civil-rights groups sued in federal court, arguing an ICE policy allows home entries based on administrative — not judicial — warrants, violating Fourth Amendment protections. DHS defends the policy for individuals with final removal orders.
USCIS Sets FY 2027 H-1B Registration Dates
USCIS announced the H-1B electronic registration window will open from noon ET March 4 to noon ET March 19, 2026; organizational accounts are required.
Protesters Call “No Work, No School, No Shopping” Strike
A nationwide protest against the administration’s immigration crackdown gained momentum Friday, with actions planned in multiple cities.
DHS Funding: Short-Term Deal Pursued; Shutdown Risk Lingers
Hill leaders moved toward a stopgap to keep U.S. Department of Homeland Security funded while broader enforcement disputes continue — still leaving some uncertainty.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 23, 2026
[Top Story] UN Human Rights Chief Urges U.S. to Align Immigration Crackdown with International Law
The U.N. human rights chief urged the U.S. to respect due process and international law amid aggressive immigration enforcement, citing arrests in sensitive locations and concerns over deaths and access to counsel.
ICE Detains Minnesota Children Amid Large-Scale Raids
School officials reported at least four minors detained in Columbia Heights, including a 5-year-old asylum applicant taken with his father, intensifying local fear and national scrutiny of ICE tactics.
USCIS Premium Processing Fee Hike Starts Mar. 1, 2026
DHS finalized an inflation adjustment: common fees move to $1,780 / $2,075 / $2,965 (depending on classification). Any I-907 request postmarked Mar. 1 or later must include the new amount.
TPS Somalia Termination Takes Effect Mar. 17, 2026
DHS formally ended Somalia’s designation; protections and EADs tied to this TPS designation end at 11:59 p.m. on March 17.
Lawsuit Challenges Termination of TPS for Ethiopians
Plaintiffs argue DHS acted unlawfully in ending TPS for Ethiopia; litigation adds uncertainty for thousands who relied on TPS during humanitarian crises.
NEWS FROM THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 16, 2026
[Top Story] U.S. to Suspend Green Card Processing from 75 Countries over Public Assistance Concerns
The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, disrupting family and employment immigration and delaying consular visa issuance abroad.
U.S. Citizens Join Military to Help Protect Undocumented Parents
U.S. citizens in mixed-status families are enlisting, often in the National Guard, hoping service enables Parole in Place for undocumented parents — temporary protection, work authorization, and a potential path to lawful status.
Schumer Urges Trump to Pull ICE Agents from Cities
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged the White House to scale back aggressive ICE operations in urban areas, citing community safety. The exchange underscores how enforcement tactics are reshaping local politics.
State Updates “Countries Subject to Visa Bonds” Page
DOS refreshed its list and effective dates for visa bonds that can be required of nonimmigrant applicants from specific countries.
February 2026 Visa Bulletin Released
The new bulletin shows modest movement, including EB-3 advances in several categories. Cross-check chargeability area, category, and priority date against both charts to plan next steps.To analyze movement and your visa wait, try our free Green Card Wait Time Estimator →
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