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Federal Register Notices 2026

January 2026

DateTitle
January 30, 2025This rule establishes the Gordie Howe International Bridge border crossing as a Class A port of entry for immigration purposes and as part of the port of Detroit for customs purposes. Establishing the Gordie Howe International Bridge border crossing is part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) continuing program to use its personnel, facilities, and resources more efficiently and to provide better service to carriers, importers, and the general public. DATES: This final rule is effective March 2, 2026. CBP will notify the public when the Gordie Howe International Bridge border crossing is fully operational and open to the public for use through a notice published on the CBP website.
January 21, 2026The Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) is announcing inflationary adjustments to immigration-related fees for filings with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (‘‘EOIR’’) under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (‘‘OBBBA’’) for Fiscal Year (‘‘FY’’) 2026. OBBBA requires the Attorney General to annually adjust for inflation the OBBBA fees that EOIR collects. This notice sets out the EOIR-collected OBBBA fees for the remainder of FY 2026 and their effective dates. DATES: The fees announced in this notice are effective February 1, 2026. Any filing with an Immigration Court or the Board of Immigration Appeals postmarked on or after February 1, 2026, without the proper filing fee or an applicable request for fee waiver will be rejected.
January 16, 2026This interim final rule (IFR) amends U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to remove the requirement that R–1 religious workers who have reached the maximum period of stay must reside abroad and be physically present outside the United States for one year before being eligible for readmission in R–1 status after departing from the United States upon reaching the maximum admission period. The purpose of this change is to promote stability and minimize disruptions to the vital services that R–1 religious workers provide to U.S. churches, mosques, synagogues, and other bona fide nonprofit religious organizations. DATES: This IFR is effective on January 16, 2026. Written comments and related material must be submitted on or before March 17, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight Eastern Time at the end of that day.
January 14, 2026Based upon a review of the Administrative Record assembled in this matter, and in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, I have concluded that there is a sufficient factual basis to find that the relevant circumstances described in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (hereinafter ‘‘INA’’) (8 U.S.C. 1189), exist with respect to: Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood (also known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiyah, Jamaa Islamiya, al-Jamaah al-Islamiyah, Jama’a Islamiyah, Jamaa Islamiyah, Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood, The Islamic Group, Islamic Group in Lebanon, al-Fajr Forces, The Fajr Forces, al-Fajer Forces, The Dawn Forces, Quwat al-Fajr). Therefore, I hereby designate the aforementioned organization and its respective aliases as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to section 219 of the INA. This determination shall be published in the Federal Register. The designation goes into effect upon publication. Dated: December 19, 2025.
January 14, 2026Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is terminating the designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status. The designation of Somalia is set to expire on March 17, 2026. After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the Secretary determined that Somalia no longer continues to meet the conditions for designation for Temporary Protected Status. The Secretary, therefore, is terminating the Temporary Protected Status designation of Somalia as required by statute. This termination is effective March 17, 2026. After March 17, 2026, nationals of Somalia (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) who have been granted Temporary Protected Status under Somalia’s designation will no longer have Temporary Protected Status. DATES: The designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status is terminated, effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on March 17, 2026.
January 13, 2026For the period beginning January 1, 2026, and ending on March 31, 2026, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Immigration Bond interest rate is 3 per centum per annum. DATES: Rates are applicable January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026.

February 2026

DateTitle
February 27, 2026On February 6, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (‘‘EOIR’’) published in the Federal Register the interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’) ‘‘Appellate Procedures for the Board of Immigration Appeals’’ with comments originally due March 9, 2026. This document extends the deadline for written comments to April 8, 2026. DATES: The comment period for the IFR published February 6, 2026, at 91 FR 5267, is extended. Comments must be received by EOIR no later than April 8, 2026.
February 23, 2026The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to modify regulations governing applications for asylum and withholding of removal (asylum applications) and employment authorization based on a pending asylum application. The proposed rule would change filing and eligibility requirements for aliens requesting employment authorization and an employment authorization document (EAD) based on a pending asylum application. The changes include pausing acceptance of EAD applications from asylum applicants during periods when affirmative asylum average processing time exceeds 180 days, extending the waiting period to apply for employment authorization to 365 days, changing EAD application processing time requirements, and adding eligibility requirements. DATES: Comments on this proposed rule, including the proposed information collections, must be received on or before April 24, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight Eastern time at the end of that day.
February 17, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Texas. DATES: This determination takes effect on February 17, 2026.
February 13, 2026The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a component within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ or Department), is finalizing without changes its Privacy Act exemption regulations for the system of records titled, Adjudication and Appeal Records of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge and Board of Immigration Appeals, JUSTICE/EOIR–001, which were published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on August 29, 2025. Specifically, the Department’s regulations will exempt the records maintained in JUSTICE/EOIR–001 from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act. The exemptions are necessary to protect properly classified information and law enforcement sensitive materials maintained in the system. The Department received one anonymous comment in support of this rulemaking in response to the NPRM. DATES: This final rule is effective March 16, 2026.
February 6, 2026This interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’) amends Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’ or ‘‘DOJ’’) regulations to streamline administrative appellate review by the Board of Immigration Appeals (‘‘Board’’ or ‘‘BIA’’) of decisions by Immigration Judges by making review of such decisions on the merits discretionary, by setting appropriate times for briefing in cases that are reviewed on the merits, and by streamlining other aspects of the appellate process to ensure timely adjudications and avoid adding to the already sizeable backlog at the Board. Additionally, the Department is making various technical and non-substantive changes to its regulations. DATES: Effective date: This IFR is effective March 9, 2026.
February 3, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, is exercising time-limited Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 authority to issue up to, but not more than, an additional 64,716 visas for the fiscal year. All of these supplemental visas will be available only to those American businesses that are suffering or will suffer impending irreparable harm, i.e., those facing permanent and severe financial loss, as attested by the employer. These supplemental visas will be distributed in three allocations based on the petitioner’s start date of need through the end of the fiscal year. DATES: Effective Dates: This final rule is effective from January 30, 2026, through September 30, 2026, except for 20 CFR 655.69, which is effective from January 30, 2026, through September 30, 2029. Petition dates: DHS will not accept any H–2B petitions under provisions related to the FY 2026 supplemental numerical allocations after September 15, 2026, and will not approve any such H–2B petitions after September 30, 2026.

March 2026

DateTitle
March 26, 2026Finding of Mass Influx of Aliens
March 16, 2026Based upon a review of the Administrative Record assembled in this matter, and in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, I have concluded that there is a sufficient factual basis to find that the relevant circumstances described in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (hereinafter ‘‘INA’’) (8 U.S.C. 1189), exist with respect to: Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood (also known as Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan; Sudanese Islamic Movement; al-Bara Bin Malik Brigade; al-Bara’ ibn Malik Brigade; al-Baraa bin Malik Battalion). Therefore, I hereby designate the aforementioned organization and its respective aliases as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to section 219 of the INA. This determination shall be published in the Federal Register. The designation goes into effect upon publication. Dated: March 8, 2026.
March 11, 2026The Department of State (‘‘Department’’) is amending regulations governing the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (‘‘DV Program’’) to improve the integrity of, and combat fraud in, the program. These amendments require a petitioner to the DV Program to provide valid, unexpired passport information and to upload a scan of the biographic and signature page in the electronic entry form or to otherwise indicate that he or she is exempt from this requirement. Additionally, the Department is standardizing and amending its regulations to add the word ‘‘shall’’ to simplify guidance for consular officers; ensure the use of the term ‘‘sex’’ in lieu of ‘‘gender’’; and replace the term ‘‘age’’ in the DV Program regulations with the phrase ‘‘date of birth’’ to accurately reflect the information collected and maintained by the Department during the immigrant  visa process. DATES: This rule is effective on April 10, 2026.
March 5, 2026In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction of 1995 (PRA), the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Department of Justice (DOJ), requested the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) conduct an emergency review and approval of a revision to a currently approved collection of information. EOIR requested and OMB granted emergency approval on March 2, 2026, authorizing the revised collection through July 31, 2026. EOIR is providing the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed collection. DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until May 4, 2026.
March 5, 2026The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) at the Department of Justice (DOJ) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until May 4, 2026.
March 3, 2026Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is terminating the designation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The designation of Yemen is set to expire on March 3, 2026. After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. Government agencies, the Secretary determined that Yemen no longer continues to meet the conditions for designation for Temporary Protected Status. The Secretary, therefore, is terminating the Temporary Protected Status designation of Yemen as required by statute. This termination is effective May 4, 2026. After May 4, 2026, nationals of Yemen (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) who have been granted Temporary Protected Status under Yemen’s designation will no longer have Temporary Protected Status. DATES: The designation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status is terminated, effective at 11:59 p.m., local time, on May 4, 2026.
March 2, 2026The Executive Office for Immigration Review (‘‘EOIR’’) is implementing electronic filing and records applications for all cases before the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (‘‘OCAHO’’). This interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’) updates the relevant regulations necessary to implement these electronic filing and records applications, including by requiring certain users to file documents electronically and changing service of process methods. This IFR also includes several additional minor changes to OCAHO’s rules of practice and procedure to clarify and improve upon the existing regulatory language. DATES: Effective date: This IFR is effective March 2, 2026.

April 2026

DateTitle
April 30, 2026On October 7, 2020, the Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) published an interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’) amending the regulations governing the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (‘‘OCAHO’’). The amendments reflected changes related to the creation of the position of the Chief Administrative Law Judge (‘‘CALJ’’) and made additional related technical changes. This final rule adopts the provisions of the IFR with minor technical corrections. DATES: This rule is effective April 30, 2026
April 29, 2024The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues this interim final rule (IFR) to codify certain immigration fees and other provisions required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1). This IFR amends U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations to codify: the asylum and annual asylum fees, including the consequences of non-payment of these fees; the new Form I– 94 fee requirement; the validity period for certain types of employment authorization; and the retention of the Form I–589 filing fee for every application. DATES: This interim final rule is effective May 29, 2026. DHS invites public comment on all aspects of this interim final rule; written comments must be submitted on this interim final rule on or before June 29, 2026.

May 2026

DateTitle
May 29, 2026The designation of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was set to expire on May 27, 2026, is automatically extended to November 27, 2026. Under the TPS statute, if the Secretary does not determine whether a foreign state continues to meet the conditions for designation for TPS at least 60 days before the expiration of the country’s current TPS designation, the period of designation is automatically extended for six months. Rapidly unfolding events in Lebanon in March 2026 impacted the Department’s ability to conduct a thorough review of prevailing country conditions for the Secretary’s timely consideration and determination. DATES: The six-month extension of Lebanon for TPS is effective May 28, 2026, and will remain in effect through November 27, 2026.
May 27, 2026Emergency Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026
May 20, 2026DHS is proposing to update the fee required by section 100016 of the Budget Reconciliation Act (known as the HR–1). This fee applies to certain aliens ordered removed in absentia who fail to depart the United States and are subsequently arrested by ICE. DHS is proposing to increase the fee from $5,130 to $18,000. This rule also makes clear that DHS will adjust this fee for inflation each year. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2026.
May 15, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Texas. DATES: This determination takes effect on May 15, 2026.
May 11, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations governing the submission of benefit requests to provide that if U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accepts a benefit request and determines later that it lacks a valid signature, USCIS may, in its discretion, reject or deny the request. This interim final rule (IFR or rule) will clarify USCIS procedures relating to the rejection or denial of benefit requests that do not meet regulatory requirements to ensure better enforcement of signature requirements. DATES: Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective on July 10, 2026. Comment Date: Written comments on the interim final rule must be submitted on or before July 10, 2026.
May 7, 2026DHS proposes to increase the fee for adjudicating Form I–246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, from $155 to $755. The rule proposes to adjust the Form I–246 fee to recover costs, which has not been adjusted since 1989. DHS also proposes to make technical edits to the stay of deportation and removal fee regulation. DATES: Electronic comments must be submitted on or before July 6, 2026.
May 7, 2026Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy.
May 4, 2026The United States Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice that the Commission has promulgated amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the text of the amendments and the reason for each amendment. DATES: The Commission has specified an effective date of November 1, 2026, for the amendments set forth in this notice.

June 2026

DateTitle
June 30, 2026

In rule document 2026–09289, beginning on page 25479 in the issue of Monday, May 11, 2026, make the following changes:

1. On page 25481, third column, second sentence of the last paragraph, ‘‘The 2016 p.m. stated’’ should read ‘‘The 2016 PM stated’’. 2. On page 25482, first column, second sentence of the first paragraph continuing from the prior page, ‘‘The 2016 p.m. also provided’’ should read ‘‘The 2016 PM also provided’’. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES 
3. On the same page, first column, third sentence of the first paragraph continuing from the prior page, ‘‘The 2016 p.m. did not address’’ should read ‘‘The 2016 PM did not address’’. 
4. On the same page, first column, second sentence of the second paragraph, ‘‘The 2016 p.m. provided’’ should read ‘‘The 2016 PM provided’’. 
5. On page 25482, first column, third sentence of the second paragraph, ‘‘The 2016 p.m. also provided that’’ should read ‘‘The 2016 PM also provided that’’.
6. On the same page, first column, fourth sentence of the second paragraph, ‘‘The 2016 p.m. was incorporated’’ should read ‘‘The 2016 PM was incorporated’’. 
7. On the same page 25482, first column, fifth sentence of the second paragraph, ‘‘Consistent with the 2018 p.m., USCIS’’ should read ‘‘Consistent with the 2018 PM, USCIS’’.

June 29, 2026On March 12, 2025, DHS issued an interim final rule (IFR) with request for comments amending DHS regulations to designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. Unregistered aliens may use this general registration form to satisfy their statutory obligations. This final rule responds to public comments, amends DHS regulations to adjust the lists of forms and processes that may serve as registration forms and evidence of alien registration and seeks comments on other potential changes to the regulations relating to alien registration and fingerprinting. DATES: This final rule is effective on June 29, 2026.
June 11, 2026In this interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’), the Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) is updating its fee regulations for filings with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (‘‘EOIR’’) to comply with a recent statutory enactment. DATES: Effective date: This IFR is effective June 11, 2026. Comments: Electronic comments must be submitted and written comments must be postmarked or otherwise indicate a shipping date on or before July 13, 2026.
June 9, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Texas. The notice of determination was published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2026. The project area description in the May 15, 2026, notice of determination was incorrect. This document is a republication of the May 15, 2026, document with the correct project area description. DATES: This determination takes effect on June 9, 2026.
June 5, 2026The Department of Homeland Security proposes to limit and clarify eligibility for discretionary employment authorization for aliens paroled into the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, who have been granted deferred action, or against whom a final order of removal exists and who are temporarily released from custody on an order of supervision. DHS further proposes to specify that aliens applying for employment authorization who admit to committing, have been arrested for, or have been convicted of certain criminal acts do not warrant a favorable exercise of discretion unless there are significant countervailing public interests, which may include assisting law enforcement activity in the United States. DATES: Submission of Public Comments: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 4, 2026. Comments on the information collection described in the ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act’’ section of this proposed rule must be received on or before August 4, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day.

July 2026

DateTitle
July 30, 2026This notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPRM’’) would implement a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (‘‘INA’’ or ‘‘the Act’’) that authorizes Immigration Judges, under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, to sanction by civil money penalty any action (or inaction) in contempt of the proper exercise of their authority by certain individuals. The rule would: define the scope of the contempt authority; provide procedures for contempt findings, penalty determinations, and penalty payment; establish an appellate process; and implement oversight of the use of contempt authority. The rule would also make conforming changes to the grounds for practitioner discipline. DATES: Electronic comments must be submitted on or before September 28, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System at https:// www.regulations.gov will accept electronic comments until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on that date.
July 28, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations to permit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) without interview. USCIS still offers an interview prior to a grant or denial of asylum. DHS is also removing the requirement that a letter communicating the basis for referral of asylum include an assessment of the alien’s credibility. DATES: Effective date: This interim final rule (IFR) is effective July 28, 2026. Comment due date: Written comments on this interim final rule must be submitted on or before September 28, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day.
July 27, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Texas. DATES: This determination takes effect on July 27, 2026.
July 21, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Arizona. DATES: This determination takes effect on July 21, 2026.
July 21, 2026This document corrects the interim final rule (IFR) that published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2026. The IFR codified certain immigration fees and other provisions required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) and amended USCIS regulations governing asylum and annual asylum fees, the new Form I–94 fee requirement, the validity period for certain types of employment authorization, and the retention of the Form I–589 filing fee for every application. This document will restore regulatory language that was unintentionally removed in the April 29, 2026 IFR. DATES: Effective July 21, 2026, and applicable as of May 29, 2026.
July 20,2026DHS is rescinding the 2022 public charge ground of inadmissibility regulations (‘‘2022 Final Rule’’). The 2022 Final Rule was not the best implementation of the statute. It was inconsistent with congressional intent, unduly restrictive, and hampered DHS’s ability to make accurate, precise, and reliable determinations of whether certain aliens are likely at any time to become a public charge. Rescission restores broader discretion for DHS officers to evaluate all pertinent facts and aligns with long-standing policy that aliens in the United States should be self-reliant and government benefits should not incentivize immigration. This rule also revises the breach and cancellation of public charge bonds regulations. DATES: The final rule is effective on September 18, 2026. This rule applies to applications for admission made on or after September 18, 2026 or applications for adjustment of status postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026. Receipt of means- tested public benefits before September 18, 2026 will be considered consistently with the 2022 Final Rule.
July 17, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations to change the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period, and additional changes to admission and extension requirements. This final rule will provide additional protections and oversight of these nonimmigrant categories and will allow DHS to better evaluate whether these nonimmigrants are maintaining status while temporarily in the United States. This final rule provides amendments to the proposed rule covering this topic that was published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2025. DATES: This rule has been classified as a major rule subject to congressional review. The effective date is September 15, 2026. However, at the conclusion of the congressional review, if the effective date has been changed, DHS will publish a document in the Federal Register to establish the actual effective date or to terminate the rule.
July 16, 2026Based upon a review of the Administrative Records assembled in this matter, and in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, I have concluded that there is a sufficient factual basis to find that the relevant circumstances described in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (hereinafter ‘‘INA’’) (8 U.S.C. 1189), exist with respect to: Juarez Cartel (also known as Cartel de Juarez, La Linea, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes Organization, VCFO, Carrillo Fuentes Drug Trafficking Organization, Barrio Azteca) and Los Viagras (also known as Los Viagras Cartel, Cartel de Los Viagras, Los Blancos de Troya). Therefore, I hereby designate the aforementioned organizations and their respective aliases as Foreign Terrorist Organizations pursuant to section 219 of the INA. This determination shall be published in the Federal Register. These designations go into effect upon publication. Dated: July 2, 2026.
July 8, 2026Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments: Correction
July 2, 2026The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Texas. The notice of determination was published in the Federal Register on February 17, 2026. This document amends the February 17, 2026, notice of determination by including additional legal requirements that are being waived. DATES: This determination takes effect on July 2, 2026.
July 2, 2026This proposed rule would implement the EB–5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), which the President signed on March 15, 2022. The RIA substantially reforms and adds significant integrity provisions to the employment-based, fifth preference (EB–5) visa category for alien investors and the associated Regional Center Program. In general, under the EB–5 program, aliens are eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States if they make the necessary investment in a new commercial enterprise in the United States and create 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers. DATES: Submission of Public Comments: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 31, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day.

August 2026

DateTitle
August 25, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to establish a $103,265 fee, payable at the time of filing, for all H–1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, which would be imposed in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. This fee would serve as a dedicated revenue mechanism to help recover a portion of the federal government’s costs of administering the lawful immigration system, including activities carried out by DHS, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). DATES: Submission of Public Comments: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 24, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments before midnight eastern time at the end of that day.
August 21, 2026The Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) is making inflationary adjustments to immigration-related fees for filings with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (‘‘EOIR’’) as required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for Fiscal Year (‘‘FY’’) 2027. DATES: This rule is effective October 1, 2026.
August 21, 2026The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its regulation governing genealogy program related records requests to revise its genealogy program regulations to clarify the impact of statutory and regulatory federal records requirements. This is necessary for individuals who request immigration records through the agency’s genealogy program to better understand which records may be requested. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 20, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day.
August 11, 2026Ending Birth Tourism
August 11, 2026The Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022 amended the nonimmigrant classifications for aliens in transit (C) and for aliens serving as crewmen (D) to include individuals who perform ship- to-ship liquid cargo transfer operations to or from another vessel engaged in foreign trade (lightering). The statute authorizes qualifying aliens to seek admission to the United States or request temporary landing permits for a period not to exceed 180 days. This rule amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to conform to these statutory changes and make related technical amendments. DATES: This rule is effective August 11, 2026.
August 11, 2026

This interim final rule (IFR) amends U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to provide: USCIS may require mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) of certain benefit requests; the process USCIS will follow to require a benefit request to be e-filed; and how a waiver of the e-filing requirement for those individuals unable to file electronically may be requested. This rule is intended to increase digital intake and processing to move USCIS and requestors from a mostly paper process to an electronic process and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system and the security of the United States. DATES: This IFR is effective August 11, 2026. 

Comments must be received on or before October 13, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day. Comments on the Paperwork Reduction Act section of this interim final rule must be submitted by October 13, 2026.

August 10, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is making non- substantive technical revisions to its immigration bond regulation to remove form numbers and legacy job titles from its provisions. It also makes other non- substantive revisions to this regulation to improve the clarity of the CFR. This action is editorial in nature and does not impose any new regulatory requirements on affected parties. DATES: This rule is effective on August 6, 2026.
August 10, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending the regulations concerning the 9–11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for certain H–1B and L–1 Visas (9–11 Biometric Fee). The regulatory changes correct DHS’s interpretation of statutory language to require that covered employers submit the 9–11 Biometric Fee for all extension of status petitions, regardless of whether the related fraud prevention and detection fee applies, which includes extension of status petitions that do not involve a change of employer. The 9–11 Biometric Fee continues to apply unchanged to petitions seeking an initial grant of status. The changes also help DHS comply with its congressional mandate to implement a biometric entry-exit system. DATES: This rule is effective on September 9, 2026.

September 2026

DateTitle
September 11, 2026The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to remove regulations at 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2) to restore its previous and long-standing policy of not providing aliens in certain nonimmigrant classifications (and their dependents) with an up to 60-day grace period upon cessation of employment prior to the expiration of the alien’s authorized period of stay. This proposal restores a direct relationship between an alien’s nonimmigrant status and the specific employment or activity that formed the basis of his or her admission or grant of status in the United States and reduces administrative burden. DATES: Written comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) must be submitted on or before November 10, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments before midnight eastern time at the end of that day.
September 9, 2026Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is amending its regulations to permit children born in the United States to ‘‘foreign government employees’’ who are not U.S. citizens to register for permanent residence. DHS is also making corresponding changes to Form I–485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status and Form G–325R, Biographic Information (Registration). DATES: This interim final rule (IFR) is effective on September 4, 2026. This IFR II. Purpose and Background A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action B. Background will apply to children born to foreign government employees on or after September 4, 2026; children born to a foreign government employees prior to that date will be treated consistently with the regulations in place at the time of their birth. Comments must be received on or before October 5, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day.

October 2026

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November 2026

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December 2026

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Updated September 15, 2026