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• H-1B $100K Fee Sparks Lawsuit and Industry Backlash
• Supreme Court Allows Termination of TPS for Venezuelans
• USCIS Launches Major Fraud Sweep in Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Refugee Admissions Slashed to Record Low for FY2026

H-1B $100K Fee Sparks Lawsuit and Industry Backlash

A coalition of universities, healthcare providers, and nonprofits has sued the Trump administration over the new $100,000 H-1B application fee, calling it unlawful and economically damaging. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also objected, warning the policy would limit access to critical talent and force companies to outsource key functions.

The lawsuit argues the government bypassed required rulemaking and failed to consider the harm to organizations that rely on H-1B professionals, from schools and hospitals to tech and manufacturing firms. The Chamber urged the administration to withdraw the fee and instead pursue reforms that align visa policy with U.S. workforce needs.

Impact: If implemented, the $100K fee could reshape hiring strategies, spike program costs, and accelerate a shift toward alternative visa categories and green card sponsorships.

Supreme Court Allows Termination of TPS for Venezuelans

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals currently residing and working in the U.S.

The decision stays a lower court order that had blocked termination while litigation continued. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, warning the ruling overlooks the irreparable harm to families and communities that have relied on TPS stability.

Impact: Employers with Venezuelan nationals under TPS should immediately review work authorization timelines and prepare contingency plans, including transitioning to alternative visa categories or permanent residence options to avoid workforce disruption.

USCIS Launches Major Fraud Sweep in Minneapolis-St. Paul

USCIS, ICE, and the FBI conducted “Operation Twin Shield,” a large-scale fraud detection initiative in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, the agency’s first surge of this magnitude in a single region. Over 900 site visits and interviews were conducted, targeting 1,000+ cases with potential fraud or ineligibility indicators.

USCIS reported evidence of noncompliance or fraud in 275 cases, with 42 referrals to ICE and several arrests. Director Joseph Edlow warned this is “the first of many” such operations and advised other cities to prepare for similar enforcement activity.

Impact: Employers should expect heightened scrutiny of immigration filings nationwide, particularly around employment verification, site visit preparedness, and documentation accuracy. Now is the time to audit records, confirm public access files, and reinforce compliance training with HR and managers supporting foreign nationals.

Refugee Admissions Slashed to Record Low for FY2026

The Trump administration plans to cut U.S. refugee admissions to 7,500, down from 125,000 under the Biden administration and reportedly prioritize certain groups, including white Afrikaners from South Africa, citing claims of “unjust discrimination.”

This marks one of the lowest refugee ceilings in U.S. history and continues a broader rollback of humanitarian and asylum pathways. Advocacy groups warn the decision will disrupt resettlement programs and strain nonprofit partners that support displaced populations and employment integration.

Impact: While corporate immigration is distinct from refugee resettlement, this shift signals a broader tightening of humanitarian and discretionary immigration policies, potentially affecting dependent work authorization, humanitarian parole, and diversity in global talent pipelines.