- DOJ Signals Shift Towards Denaturalization and Local Immigration Enforcement
- Court Blocks Early Termination of TPS for Haiti
- USCIS Narrows TN Visa Eligibility Under New Policy Guidance
- New Immigration Fees and Restrictions Included in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
DOJ Signals Shift Towards Denaturalization and Local Immigration Enforcement
On June 11, 2025, the DOJ Civil Division outlined new enforcement priorities under the Trump administration that could affect employers and sponsored talent. The memo emphasizes increased civil denaturalization efforts, particularly in cases involving alleged misrepresentation during the immigration or naturalization process.
While certain categories are prioritized, the DOJ retains discretion to pursue cases beyond those listed. The memo also signals a renewed focus on challenging state and local “sanctuary” policies that the DOJ views as conflicting with federal immigration law.
Impact: These shifts may lead to increased legal exposure for naturalized employees and heightened scrutiny in jurisdictions with sanctuary protections, prompting mobility teams to assess risk, revisit past filings, and support affected employees proactively.
Court Blocks Early Termination of TPS for Haiti
On July 1, 2025, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti ahead of schedule. Just days earlier, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had announced that TPS for nearly 500,000 Haitian nationals would end on August 3, 2025, with termination effective September 2. Citing improved country conditions and national interest concerns, DHS had urged Haitian nationals to prepare for return and consider other immigration options if eligible.
However, the court ruled that the early termination violated the TPS statute, affirming that recipients reasonably expected protection through at least February 3, 2026, as previously extended by the Biden administration.
Impact: This ruling provides temporary relief and continued work authorization for Haitian TPS holders, giving employers and mobility teams critical time to plan and support impacted employees.
USCIS Narrows TN Visa Eligibility Under New Policy Guidance
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance on TN nonimmigrant eligibility under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), effective immediately. The policy clarifies that the TN employer must be a U.S. entity and narrows or refines eligibility criteria for several occupations, including economists, engineers, computer systems analysts, physicians, and scientific technicians/technologists. Greater emphasis is placed on the alignment between job duties and the applicant’s academic degree.
Impact: These changes may limit TN eligibility for certain roles, requiring mobility teams to reassess current and future TN sponsorship plans and ensure job descriptions and qualifications meet the updated standards.
New Immigration Fees and Restrictions Included in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
On July 3, 2025, the U.S. House passed a budget reconciliation bill that includes sweeping immigration-related provisions. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law on July 4. The legislation significantly increases costs for humanitarian immigration applicants, raises select visa and travel-related fees, and provides historic funding for immigration enforcement.
Humanitarian Immigration Changes
The bill imposes first-time fees and shortened work authorization periods for asylum seekers, parolees, and TPS holders:
- Asylum: $100 application fee (previously free), $100 annual fee while pending, and $550 for an initial EAD with $275 per renewal.
- TPS: $500 application fee and EAD costs aligned with asylum ($550 initial / $275 renewal), with validity capped at one year or the duration of TPS.
- Parole: $1,000 application fee and the same EAD cost/validity limits as above.
- Special Immigrant Juveniles: New $250 application fee.
These EADs, once valid for two years or longer, will now require renewal every six months to a year, adding significant administrative and financial burden. In addition, DHS is granted authority to raise fees above these levels via regulation, and the legislation eliminates fee waivers for nearly all categories.
The bill also imposes new fees for applications filed during immigration court proceedings, including for adjustment of status and TPS, where fees had traditionally been reduced or waived.
Visa & Travel-Related Fee Increases
For foreign nationals traveling to or applying from abroad, the bill introduces a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which may be reimbursed if the individual complies with visa terms. Other fee changes include:
- I-94 Fee: $24 (previously $6–$7)
- ESTA Fee: $13 (unchanged)
- Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) Fee: $30, applicable to certain Chinese nationals with 10-year B-1/B-2 visas
Border Security & Enforcement Funding
The legislation provides more than $150 billion to immigration enforcement and border infrastructure, including:
- $46.5B for border wall and systems
- $45B for detention facilities
- $29.85B for ICE hiring and operations
- $10B in state border security grants
- Billions more for CBP staffing, bonuses, and inspection technologies
Impact: These changes significantly increase financial and administrative burdens for affected individuals and employers, potentially straining immigration budgets, complicating compliance, and requiring greater support for impacted employees and mobility planning.
