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• New Guidance on Where to Apply for Nonimmigrant Visas
• Worksite Enforcement Resurges
• USCIS to Launch Its Own Law Enforcement Arm
• U.S. Suspends Nonimmigrant Visas for Most Palestinians

New Guidance on Where to Apply for Nonimmigrant Visas

Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) has updated its guidance requiring nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Nationals of countries where the U.S. does not conduct routine NIV operations must apply at designated third-country posts. Examples include Venezuelans in Bogotá, Cubans in Georgetown, Iranians in Dubai, and Russians in Astana or Warsaw.

Applicants must demonstrate residence in the country where they apply. Those applying outside their nationality or residence country may face greater difficulty qualifying, longer wait times, and nonrefundable fees. While most existing appointments will not be canceled, DOS has stressed that exceptions are limited to humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy needs.

Impact: Employers should review this update with foreign national employees planning NIV applications, particularly those from restricted countries. Mobility planning should account for longer processing timelines, added travel burdens, and potential cost implications when employees must apply outside their home country.

Worksite Enforcement Resurges

ICE recently carried out the largest single-site worksite raid in U.S. history, detaining hundreds of workers at a major manufacturing facility. Many were employed through contractors, and the fallout included international diplomatic responses and corporate reputational risk.

Why it matters:

• Enforcement is escalating – officials confirm more large-scale raids are planned.
• Contractor risks – third-party labor arrangements remain a top compliance gap.
• Global implications – incidents can trigger diplomatic pressure and investor concern.
• Employee impact – raids disrupt operations, morale, and retention, especially for foreign nationals.

Impact: This is a clear reminder to strengthen vendor oversight, reinforce work authorization tracking, and prepare crisis-response protocols, because enforcement is shifting back into the spotlight.

USCIS to Launch Its Own Law Enforcement Arm

USCIS announced plans to recruit and train special agents (1811 series) with authority to investigate, arrest, and prosecute immigration violations, powers that previously fell to ICE. By handling investigations directly, USCIS aims to speed fraud detection, clear case backlogs, and reduce reliance on ICE, which will shift focus toward transnational crime and removals.

For employers, this marks a shift in USCIS’s role from adjudicator to enforcer. Global mobility and immigration teams should expect greater direct scrutiny of filings and compliance practices and ensure strong controls around work authorization, petition accuracy, and recordkeeping.

Impact: This signals a higher risk of direct USCIS enforcement, making proactive compliance preparation essential.

U.S. Suspends Nonimmigrant Visas for Most Palestinians

The Trump administration has suspended nonimmigrant visas for most Palestinian passport holders, extending an earlier ban on visas for Gazans. The suspension covers university study, medical treatment, business travel, and other temporary visits.

The Department of State confirmed it will not issue visas to Palestinian officials affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization or the Palestinian Authority, unless they are based at the UN mission in New York. Waivers will be granted to the UN mission under the UN Headquarters Agreement to allow attendance at the General Assembly opening on September 9, 2025.

Impact: Employers with Palestinian employees or candidates may face sudden disruptions in travel, study, or medical mobility. Companies should assess any pending visa applications, anticipate delays, and be prepared to support impacted employees with contingency planning.