{
 "updated": "2026-11-04",
 "items": [
  {
   "date": "2026-10-29",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "U.S. Department of State",
   "title": "November 2026 Visa Bulletin released",
   "text": "USCIS will accept employment-based green card applications using the Dates for Filing chart in November. The Other Workers category advances one month to July 1, 2022 for most countries and Mexico; most other employment categories stay the same.",
   "who": "Anyone waiting for a family or employment green card",
   "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-november-2026.html"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-10-29",
   "cat": "Courts",
   "source": "U.S. Supreme Court",
   "title": "Supreme Court term with major immigration cases",
   "text": "The justices will hear whether people can be deported to third countries without first being able to raise fear of torture or persecution (argument set for December), and whether immigrants in removal proceedings can be held without a bond hearing.",
   "who": "People in removal proceedings or immigration detention, and their families",
   "url": "https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-10-29/u-s-supreme-court-faces-consequential-term-on-immigration-law"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-10-20",
   "cat": "Courts",
   "source": "U.S. Supreme Court",
   "title": "Court agrees to hear school admissions and home-distilling cases",
   "text": "The Court will decide whether a Maryland county's selection process for its magnet schools is lawful, and whether the federal ban on distilling liquor at home is constitutional.",
   "who": "Families applying to selective public schools; hobby distillers",
   "url": "https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/10/justices-grant-two-significant-cases/"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-10-16",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "USCIS",
   "title": "Higher fees for asylum, work permits, TPS and parole",
   "text": "For filings postmarked on or after October 16, 2026: initial work permit $570 (asylum, parole, TPS), TPS registration $520, annual asylum fee $105 and parole $1,050. The $100 asylum application fee is unchanged.",
   "who": "Asylum applicants, TPS holders and parolees",
   "url": "https://www.lehighvalleyimmigrationlawyers.com/blog/uscis-fee-increase-october-16-2026-asylum-ead-tps-parole"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-18",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "Department of Homeland Security",
   "title": "New public charge rule takes effect",
   "text": "Green card officers now weigh the totality of circumstances, and means-tested benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, such as Medicaid, SNAP and housing help, may be considered. A new edition of Form I-485 is required. Refugees, asylees, VAWA, SIJ, T and U applicants remain exempt.",
   "who": "People applying for green cards from inside the U.S.",
   "url": "https://cilawgroup.com/?p=16920"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-10",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "Congressional Research Service",
   "title": "TPS: 13 countries terminated, four awaiting decisions",
   "text": "TPS has ended for 13 countries since 2025, some after court delays. El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine and Lebanon designations were awaiting decisions.",
   "who": "TPS holders and their employers",
   "url": "https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R49346.html"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-19",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "The White House / federal courts",
   "title": "$100,000 H-1B fee extended but blocked by court order",
   "text": "A proclamation extended the $100,000 payment on certain new H-1B petitions; a court order keeps it from being enforced while appeals continue.",
   "who": "H-1B workers and employers",
   "url": "https://oiss.yale.edu/news/presidential-proclamation-extends-h-1b-100000-fee-policy-fee-remains-blocked-by-court-order"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-03-30",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "USCIS",
   "title": "Stronger vetting and case holds for some applicants",
   "text": "USCIS placed holds on certain pending cases and added checks such as shorter work-permit validity for some groups, expanded social media and financial vetting, and more re-interviews. Applicants from countries named in travel proclamations are most affected; some holds have since been lifted.",
   "who": "Applicants from high-risk countries, asylum and refugee cases",
   "url": "https://boards.immigration.com/news/update-uscis-strengthened-screening-and-vetting"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-01-01",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "The White House",
   "title": "Expanded travel restrictions in force",
   "text": "Entry restrictions for nationals of a number of countries were expanded. Anyone from an affected country should get legal advice before travelling abroad.",
   "who": "Nationals of affected countries, including visa and green card holders who travel",
   "url": "https://internationalservices.gwu.edu/node/1141"
  },
  {
   "date": "2025-10-20",
   "cat": "Immigration",
   "source": "USCIS",
   "title": "New citizenship civics test",
   "text": "Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 study 128 civics questions; up to 20 are asked and 12 correct answers are needed to pass.",
   "who": "Permanent residents applying for citizenship",
   "url": "https://www.fredlaw.com/alert-uscis-unveils-new-naturalization-civics-test"
  }
 ],
 "watch": [
  [
   "December 2026",
   "Supreme Court argument on third-country removals"
  ],
  [
   "Mid-November",
   "December 2026 Visa Bulletin"
  ],
  [
   "Pending",
   "TPS decisions for El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine and Lebanon"
  ],
  [
   "Pending",
   "Appeals on the $100,000 H-1B fee"
  ],
  [
   "January 1, 2027",
   "New California laws take effect"
  ]
 ]
}