Current Policies (2025–2026)
Last updated: 2026-07
Important notice
- Immigration policy changed significantly in January 2025.
- Always verify current rules at uscis.gov or with a licensed attorney.
- This page explains what changed and what it means for you.
The information in this section reflects policies under the current administration that took office in January 2025. Many policies changed significantly from the previous administration, and several are being actively litigated — court rulings have blocked, restored, and re-blocked major policies within the space of weeks. Always verify current rules with a licensed immigration attorney or at uscis.gov before acting.
ICE removes protections at sensitive locations, sparking concerns in migrant communities
Source: NBC DFW·Watch on YouTube ↗
External video from a third party. Provided for context — not legal advice or an endorsement.
Enforcement Policy Changes
The current administration has significantly expanded immigration enforcement since January 2025. Here is what has changed and what it means for you.
1. Expanded Interior Enforcement
What changed:
ICE has significantly increased arrests inside the United States — not just near the border. ICE is now conducting more operations in cities, neighborhoods, workplaces, and public spaces.
What it means for you:
Immigrants in cities far from the border — including "sanctuary" cities — now face increased risk of ICE enforcement operations. Knowing your rights (see the ICE section) is more important than ever.
2. Removal of 'Sensitive Location' Protections
What changed:
A previous policy that generally prevented ICE from conducting arrests near sensitive locations — including schools, churches, hospitals, and playgrounds — was reversed in January 2025.
What it means for you:
There is no longer a guaranteed safe zone around churches, schools, or hospitals. ICE can now legally conduct enforcement operations near these locations. This does NOT mean ICE is specifically targeting schools or churches, but the legal protection is gone.
3. Expanded Expedited Removal
What changed:
Expedited removal allows deportation without a full immigration court hearing. The current administration expanded this to apply to people who have been in the U.S. for a longer period and who are found further from the border.
What it means for you:
More people are now at risk of being deported quickly without seeing an immigration judge. If ICE tries to use expedited removal on you, immediately say: "I am afraid to return to my country" (if true) and "I want a lawyer." This can stop expedited removal and get you a hearing.
4. End of CBP One App and Humanitarian Parole Programs
What changed:
The CBP One app, which allowed people to schedule appointments to request entry at the border, was shut down in January 2025. Humanitarian parole programs that allowed nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) to enter the U.S. legally were also ended. People already in the U.S. under these programs had their parole terminated.
What it means for you:
People who entered under CHNV parole and whose parole was terminated may now be considered unlawfully present. Those in this situation should consult an immigration lawyer immediately to understand their options. People who were in the middle of applying through CBP One no longer have that option.
5. Changes to DACA
What changed:
The Fifth Circuit ruled in January 2025 that DACA is unlawful, but narrowed the injunction to Texas and separated the deportation protection from the work authorization. As of 2026, USCIS still accepts and processes DACA renewals nationwide, including in Texas. New first-time applications are accepted but not processed. DACA recipients in Texas may eventually lose work authorization while keeping protection from deportation, depending on a further order from the district court that has not yet issued.
What it means for you:
If you have DACA, renew on time — USCIS recommends filing 150–120 days before expiration. Renewals are still being approved. If you live in Texas, watch for developments on work authorization and talk to a lawyer about a backup plan. If you qualify for any other immigration benefit (through marriage, employment, U visa, or otherwise), explore it now rather than waiting.
6. Increased 287(g) Partnerships with Local Police
What changed:
The current administration has expanded the 287(g) program, which allows local police departments to perform immigration enforcement functions. More counties and cities are now part of this program than in previous years.
What it means for you:
In more places across the U.S., a routine traffic stop or arrest by local police can now lead to immigration consequences. Know whether your area has a 287(g) agreement.
7. New 'Public Charge' Rule Effective September 18, 2026
What changed:
DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge regulation in a final rule announced July 16, 2026 and effective September 18, 2026. The 2022 rule had limited the analysis mainly to cash assistance and long-term institutional care. Under the new framework, officers weigh the totality of the circumstances and may consider means-tested benefits including Medicaid, SNAP, and means-tested housing assistance. Benefits received before September 18, 2026 are still judged under the narrower 2022 standard.
What it means for you:
Do not drop benefits in a panic. Many people are exempt from the public charge test entirely — including refugees, asylees, VAWA self-petitioners, and U and T visa applicants — and benefits used by your U.S. citizen children generally are not counted against you. Emergency medical care, school meals, and disaster relief never make someone a public charge. Talk to an immigration lawyer or a benefits counselor before giving up assistance your family needs.
8. Invocation of Alien Enemies Act
What changed:
The current administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to attempt to deport certain people. Courts have issued rulings blocking or limiting these deportations, and legal challenges are ongoing as of 2025–2026.
What it means for you:
This is an area of active legal change. The courts are still deciding the extent of this power. If you receive any notice related to this or believe you could be affected, contact an immigration lawyer immediately.
9. Registration Requirement Now Enforced
What changed:
A requirement that has existed in the law for decades — that most noncitizens 14 and older who stay 30 days or more register with the government — now has a dedicated enforcement process. An interim rule took effect April 11, 2025 and was finalized June 29, 2026, with Form G-325R for people not already registered.
What it means for you:
Most immigrants are already registered and do not need to file anything — green card holders, anyone admitted or paroled with an I-94, and anyone issued a work permit or an Alien Registration Number are already covered. The requirement mainly reaches people who entered without inspection and have never received a document from immigration authorities. Both registering and not registering carry risk. Willful failure to register is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $5,000 fine and six months in jail, but registering also confirms your presence and address to DHS. Talk to a lawyer before deciding.
10. New Fees That Cannot Be Waived
What changed:
The budget law signed July 4, 2025 created immigration fees set by statute with no waiver available: $100 to file an asylum application, roughly $100 every year an asylum case remains pending, $550 for a first work permit based on asylum, parole, or TPS, and $275 to renew it. The amounts rise with inflation each fiscal year. Asylum applications used to be free.
What it means for you:
Budget for these costs and never assume a fee waiver is available — there is no hardship exception. The Annual Asylum Fee is the biggest trap: it is due on the anniversary of filing, must be paid online, and many people report the notice never arriving in the mail. Check the USCIS payment portal yourself each year around your filing anniversary and keep the confirmation.
11. Expanded Vetting, Case Holds, and Denaturalization
What changed:
Starting April 27, 2026, USCIS required new FBI background checks on pending cases, re-running fingerprints and biometrics and reviewing social media, tax filings, and employment history. This has caused long holds across green card, asylum, naturalization, and family cases. A dedicated unit now re-examines existing green card holders for fraud, and efforts to strip citizenship from naturalized citizens have expanded significantly.
What it means for you:
Expect delays and keep your case clean: maintain a USCIS online account, report address changes within 10 days, attend every biometrics appointment, and answer Requests for Evidence completely and on time. If you are a green card holder or naturalized citizen contacted about your original application or called to an unexpected interview, speak with an immigration attorney before responding.
12. Adjustment of Status Treated as Discretionary
What changed:
USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, issued May 21, 2026, instructs officers that meeting every legal requirement for a green card from inside the U.S. is no longer sufficient. Officers weigh an applicant's full immigration history, and past violations such as overstays or unauthorized work now count as strongly negative.
What it means for you:
Document positive factors thoroughly even in straightforward cases — family ties, steady work, tax compliance, community involvement. If your history includes an overstay, unauthorized work, or a lapse in status, consult a lawyer before filing rather than after a denial.
13. Harder Path to Citizenship
What changed:
For Form N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, a new civics test applies: 128 possible questions instead of 100, up to 20 asked at the interview, and 12 correct answers required to pass instead of 6 of 10. Two August 2025 memos also broadened the "good moral character" review into a totality-of-the-circumstances assessment and revived neighborhood investigations, in which officers may contact neighbors or employers to verify residence and character.
What it means for you:
Study with the official materials for the 2025 test — older practice sets use a different question bank and passing score. Before filing, gather proof of tax filings, any child support obligations, and your continuous residence. If you have any arrest or citation in your history, even a dismissed or minor one, consult an immigration attorney first: applying invites a full review of your record.