A Nov. 4, 2026 USCIS memo tells officers how failure to support dependents, unmet sponsor obligations, and public benefits use may affect good moral character in naturalization cases.
Immigration News
Daily updates on U.S. immigration court decisions and announcements from USCIS, the State Department, EOIR, and the BIA.
DHS Suspends CNMI Visa-Free Travel Program for Chinese Nationals
DHS is suspending the CNMI EVS-TAP program, which let prescreened Chinese nationals visit the Northern Mariana Islands visa-free, as of October 30, 2026.
DHS Ratifies Immigration Civil Fines Issued Under 2025 Interim Rule
DHS ratified civil fines ICE assessed under a 2025 interim rule and set a November 16, 2026 deadline for people to raise claims of prejudice with ICE.
BIA Ends Presumption of Court Delays for U Visa Petitioners
In Matter of L. Ramirez, the Board of Immigration Appeals overruled Matter of Sanchez Sosa and held that a pending U visa petition no longer creates a presumption in favor of a continuance.
Final Rule Keeps Fast-Track Fines for Failure to Depart
DHS and DOJ finalized a 2025 rule that speeds up civil fines for people who do not leave after a removal or voluntary departure order, or who are caught entering unlawfully.
DHS Makes Final the End of Automatic Work Permit Extensions
A DHS final rule published October 14, 2026 permanently keeps the end of automatic extensions for many work permits while renewals are pending. TPS-related extensions are not affected.
Refugees Now Have 10 Days, Not 30, to Answer Termination Notices
A DHS interim final rule effective October 14, 2026 cuts the time refugees have to respond to a Notice of Intent to Terminate their refugee status from 30 days to 10 days.
USCIS Opens New Asylum Office in Charlotte for the Carolinas
USCIS opened an asylum office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Starting October 13, 2026, asylum applicants living in North or South Carolina fall under the new office.
BIA: Advance Parole Trip Home Can Abandon an Asylum Claim
In Matter of M-R-I-, the BIA held that returning on advance parole to the country of claimed persecution abandons asylum, withholding and CAT claims absent compelling reasons.
USCIS Raises Asylum, Parole and TPS Fees for Inflation
USCIS announced inflation increases to several fees created by H.R. 1, including asylum, parole and TPS fees, for requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026.