On 5/22/2026 USCIS announced a new Policy Memorandum related to the final step of the green card application process.
On May 18, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced targeted travel restrictions “to protect the health of the United States from the serious risk posed by the introduction of Ebola disease into the United States by covered aliens based on the emergent outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain confirmed present in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.” The travel restrictions apply for a period of 30
The International Center has received reports from students that USCIS has begun implementing a new photo policy.
On January 14, 2026, the State Department announced that, effective January 21, 2026, the issuance of immigrant visas will be indefinitely paused for applicants from 75 countries while the agency reassesses procedures for determining whether applicants are likely to become financially dependent on the U.S. government.
On January 9, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security announced an increase to USCIS Premium Processing fees, effective March 1, 2026. This adjustment follows the biennial Premium Processing fee review under the USCIS Stabilization Act and reflects inflationary changes.
The updated Premium Processing fees are as follows:
On December 12, 2025, USCIS issued a Policy Alert announcing new guidance governing the submission and reuse of photographs for immigration benefit requests. It is no longer accepting self-submitted photos and is limiting when USCIS-taken photos may be reused in benefit requests. Only photos taken by USCIS, at an Application Support Center (ASC) for a Biometrics Services Appointment (BSA), or other authorized entities will be allowed.