April 2025 USCIS immigration update

USCIS Reaches H-1B Cap for Fiscal Year 2026

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the annual quota of 85,000 H-1B cap-subject visas for fiscal year 2026 has been met. This includes both the standard cap of 65,000 and the additional 20,000 visas available to applicants with a US master’s degree or higher. Employers have been notified of the lottery results, and those selected can now begin filing full H-1B petitions. The filing window opened on April 1 and will remain open for a minimum of 90 days.

Increased H-1B Registration Fee Implemented

This was the first year the H-1B electronic registration fee increased from $10 to $215. USCIS has not yet disclosed how many registrations were submitted overall, but demand once again exceeded the available number of visas. Indian nationals continue to make up the majority of recipients for both initial and extended H-1B employment.

A federal notice has announced that more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who entered the US through a humanitarian parole program now face the risk of losing their legal status. This program, introduced under the Biden administration, allowed entry for individuals with US-based sponsors. Unless they receive individual approval to stay, these migrants are expected to depart by April 24.

Closures of Oversight Offices Spark Concern

The Department of Homeland Security has closed three internal offices that previously monitored civil rights and immigration detention practices. Over 100 staff members have reportedly been laid off. These closures have raised concerns among immigration advocates, who warn that the move may reduce transparency and oversight in the enforcement of immigration laws.

Travel Restrictions and Detentions Affect Tourists

Reports have emerged of European and Canadian tourists being detained at US ports of entry despite holding valid visas or travel permits. In some cases, individuals were held for hours without explanation. This growing issue has prompted universities to caution international students and staff against unnecessary travel. Forecasts suggest that this could lead to a significant decline in visitors and tourism revenue in the coming months.

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