On May 22, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem ordered the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) to terminate Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (“SEVP”) certification for alleged “pro-terrorist conduct.” SEVP certification enables universities to enroll international students.
Latest from Immigration Blog
H-1B Lottery Registrations Decline to Four-Year Low
For the second consecutive year, there has been a decline in H-1B lottery registrations according to data published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
- Employers submitted approximately 344,000 registrations this year, down 26 percent from last year and the
Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to End Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela
On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Justice Department’s request to lift U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen’s March 31 order halting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) rescission of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000
Employer Compliance with Illinois E-Verify Law Still Necessary Despite DOJ Lawsuit
Takeaways
- The DOJ suit against Illinois to block a new state law argues that Illinois is intruding on federal immigration authority.
- Illinois’ law requires E-Verify employers to post state notices and give employees advance notice of any Form I-9 inspections,
Trump Administration: TPS for Afghanistan Will Terminate July 12, 2025
On May 12, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced that she will not renew Afghanistan’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, meaning that the designation, including work authorization documents, will expire July 12, 2025.
Secretary Noem said,
U.S. Still Leads in Attracting International Talent — But For How Long?
Takeaways
- The United States continues to attract the largest share of international graduate students, particularly in STEM fields, but its dominance may be slipping.
- Other countries are expanding their post-study work options and streamlining their immigration pathways to compete for
Employers Must Adapt to Worksite Raid Surge: Sanctuary Cities Face Intensified Enforcement Efforts
Takeaways:
- Increased Worksite Enforcement: Businesses can expect a surge in ICE raids and I-9 audits at workplaces.
- Impact on Sanctuary Cities: Federal agents will target sanctuary cities for immigration enforcement operations.
- Employer Preparedness: Businesses, especially those operating in sanctuary cities, should have an
DHS Revokes Legal Status, Sends Parole Termination Notices to CBP One App Users in United States
On April 11, 2025, DHS sent a Notice of Parole Termination to individuals who utilized the Biden-era online appointment CBP One App to enter and stay in the United States on Humanitarian Parole while applying for asylum.
Previously, after attending
Termination of Humanitarian Parole for Citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela Blocked by Federal Court
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued an order on April 14, 2025, blocking DHS’s March 25, 2025, decision to terminate Humanitarian Parole for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela paroled into the United States under the CHNV program.
Staying I-9 and E-Verify Compliant: Updates for Employers
USCIS has published a new version of Form I-9 and effected new updates to the form and E-Verify.
Employers can use the new 01/20/2025 edition date (expiring 5/31/2027) Form I-9, but the following previous versions continue to be valid:
- 08/01/23