U.S. immigration yearend review (Part 2)

(Continued from last week) USCIS has revised its regulations so that individuals will no longer receive automatic extensions of employment authorization when applying for renewal in certain categories. This modification ensures further screening and vetting before continued work authorization is granted.

Furthermore, USCIS has reduced the maximum validity period for certain employment authorization documents from five years to 18 months, enabling more frequent review and assessment of applicants. This adjustment strengthens fraud prevention measures, enhances the ability to identify individuals who may pose security risks, and addresses concerns associated with previously-extended validity periods.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security is seeking to conduct thorough reviews of the social media histories and activities of foreign travelers prior to granting entry into the United States. The agency also plans to implement facial recognition technology for non-U.S. citizens on arrival and departure.

3.) Revision of the Naturalization Process – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a revised naturalization test, expanding the question bank from 100 to 128 questions, increasing the number of questions per test from 10 to 20, raising the passing score requirement from 6 to 12 correct responses, and updating the questions to ensure the test offers a more comprehensive evaluation of an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Additionally, the agency reinstated neighborhood investigations for prospective citizens, aiming to verify eligibility for naturalization by reviewing residency, moral character, loyalty to the U.S. Constitution, and commitment to the nation’s well-being. These investigations commenced in November 2025.

USCIS is also enforcing accountability for individuals who make false claims of U.S. citizenship during the naturalization process. This measure upholds the principle that misrepresenting citizenship status, including attempts to vote, constitutes a violation of good moral character and will result in the denial of the naturalization application.

4.) Termination of TPS and Humanitarian Parole Programs – USCIS has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, Burma, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela, citing concerns about program abuse and reiterating its temporary intent. The agency also discontinued humanitarian parole authority, family reunification programs, and parole programs for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals.

5.) Enhanced Regulations on Employment-Based Visas – Since July 2025, USCIS has implemented new fees, including the $100,000 H-1B fee enacted under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). The collected funds are directed toward reducing the national debt and expanding immigration enforcement resources.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a regulation to prioritize the allocation of H-1B visas to highly-skilled and highly-compensated foreign nationals, aiming to better safeguard wages, working conditions, and employment prospects for American workers.

Additionally, the DHS has announced a notable final rule enabling the USCIS to enhance the efficiency of agricultural work visa processing, thereby addressing critical needs within the nation's agricultural sector.

6.) Trump Gold Card – As previously mentioned, the administration is introducing a new initiative known as the Trump Gold Card. For an investment of $1 million USD, applicants may become eligible for lawful permanent residency status and a pathway to United States citizenship.

These and other programs were implemented in 2025, with further developments anticipated in 2026.