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• FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Begins
• US Embassy and Travel Impacts Due to Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East
• DHS Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
• Justices Limit Courts’ Purview Over Persecution Findings

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Begins

USCIS has announced the opening of the FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period, which will run from noon (ET) March 4 through noon (ET) March 19, 2026. During this window, prospective cap-subject employers (and their attorneys) must submit an electronic registration through a USCIS online account and pay the $215 registration fee per beneficiary. Employers may file an H-1B cap petition only for beneficiaries who are selected and receive a selection notice.

Impact: Employers should confirm beneficiary eligibility, finalize job details early, and ensure internal sign-offs are ready before registration opens. Because the registration window is short and selection is required to proceed, HR, mobility, and counsel should align on prioritized candidates and contingency plans if key registrations are not selected.

US Embassy and Travel Impacts Due to Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East

The U.S. Department of State has issued updated security guidance tied to ongoing Middle East conflict conditions, emphasizing that U.S. citizens—particularly those in the region—should follow the most recent embassy/consulate security alerts and be prepared for rapidly changing circumstances. In addition, certain posts have issued travel advisories reflecting elevated risk conditions and staffing adjustments, which can affect consular operations and traveler support.

Impact: Employers with internationally mobile workforces should re-check employee travel plans, confirm emergency contact protocols, and encourage impacted travelers to enroll in STEP and monitor embassy updates. Companies may also want to build extra buffer time into visa appointments, border crossings, and return travel, given the potential for sudden disruptions.

DHS Announces Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen

DHS has announced it will terminate TPS for Yemen, with termination becoming effective 60 days after publication of the notice in the Federal Register. Until that effective date, TPS-related benefits and work authorization timing will depend on the specific Federal Register notice and any subsequent litigation or agency updates.

Impact: Employers should identify Yemen TPS populations in their workforce, monitor the Federal Register publication date closely, and prepare for timely I-9 reverification where needed. Where employees may lose TPS-based work authorization, employers should coordinate with counsel early to assess alternative immigration options and reduce last-minute compliance and business continuity risk.

Justices Limit Courts’ Purview Over Persecution Findings

In Urias-Orellana v. Bondi (decided March 4, 2026), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Immigration and Nationality Act requires courts of appeals to apply deferential “substantial-evidence” review to the agency’s determination of whether a given set of undisputed facts rises to the level of “persecution” under the asylum statute. The Court affirmed the First Circuit, reinforcing that persecution determinations are not reviewed “from scratch” on appeal absent a record that would compel a contrary conclusion.

Impact: This ruling makes it harder to overturn adverse persecution determinations on petition for review, increasing the stakes of building a complete, well-documented record before the Immigration Judge and the BIA. For employers, the most direct effect may be on workforce planning for employees or dependents seeking asylum-based relief—case outcomes may become more dependent on strong evidentiary development early in proceedings rather than expectations of broader appellate re-review.