On April 5, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders. This action was taken due to South Sudan's failure to accept the repatriation of its citizens. All existing visa appointments were canceled, and the issuance of new visas for South Sudanese nationals was halted until compliance is achieved.
Introduction of the ‘$5 Million Trump Card’
On April 3, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled the “$5 million Trump Card,” also known as the “gold card.” This initiative offers wealthy, high-level foreigners a pathway to U.S. citizenship, replacing the existing EB-5 visa program. The card prominently features Trump’s face and requires a $5 million investment.
Seeking Agreements with Other Countries for Migrant Relocation
The administration is actively pursuing agreements with countries such as Libya, Rwanda, Benin, Eswatini, Moldova, Mongolia, and Kosovo to accept migrants deported from the U.S., especially those whose home countries resist repatriation. This strategy aims to expand deportation capabilities despite legal challenges and resistance from some nations.
The U.S., along with six other nations, signed an agreement during an immigration summit in London to collaborate with tech firms in combating people smugglers exploiting social media to promote illegal migration routes. Tech companies like Meta, X, and TikTok are required to implement technology to prevent and remove posts promoting illegal migration and share trends with law enforcement. Latest news & breaking headlines
USCIS Policy Update on Gender Recognition
On April 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its policy to recognize only two biological sexes, male and female. This change reverses a previous policy that included a third gender option for nonbinary individuals.
Implementation of Executive Order 14159
Signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting The American People Against Invasion,” calls for expanded use of expedited removal, denial of federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, and increased hiring of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.
Enactment of the Laken Riley Act
Signed into law on January 29, 2025, the Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who have been charged with, arrested for, or convicted of certain crimes, including theft-related offenses and assaulting a police officer.
Faster Work Visas, Stricter Border Rules
The Biden administration unveiled a sweeping set of immigration reforms today, aiming to streamline legal pathways for workers and families while imposing stricter enforcement measures at the southern border. The new policies, set to take effect in the coming months, could impact millions of visa applicants, asylum seekers, and employers.
Key Changes in the New Policy
- Expedited Work Visa Processing
- H-1B and L-1 Visa Modernization: The U.S. will introduce premium processing expansions for high-skilled workers, reducing wait times from months to weeks.
- New STEM Visa Categories: Graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields may qualify for extended work permits and faster green card pathways.
- Border Security & Asylum Overhaul
- Fast-Track Deportations: Migrants who cross illegally will face accelerated removal unless they meet stricter asylum criteria.
- Regional Processing Centers: New centers in Latin America will pre-screen asylum seekers before they reach the U.S. border.
- Protections for Undocumented Immigrants
- Expanded DACA-like Relief: Certain long-term undocumented residents with U.S. citizen family members may apply for temporary work permits.
- Family Reunification Programs: Reduced backlogs for family-based green cards, particularly for spouses of U.S. citizens.
- Employer Compliance & Penalties
- Stricter Audits: Companies hiring foreign workers will face increased scrutiny to prevent wage violations and fraud.
- Higher Fees: Visa application costs will rise to fund processing improvements.
Why These Changes Matter
The reforms aim to:
- Boost the U.S. economy by addressing labor shortages in tech, healthcare, and agriculture.
- Reduce border chaos by discouraging irregular migration while expanding legal avenues.
- Balance political pressures amid ongoing debates over immigration reform in Congress.