United States: Presidential Proclamation restricting entry of certain non-immigrant workers

Who it affects

Non-immigrant workers in categories specified by subsequent DHS implementing guidance.

Sources

Primary: The White House ↗

Corroborating: US Department of Homeland Security ↗ · US Department of State ↗

Verified 2026-04-19 · methodology · report a correction

Related changes in United States

More recent updates

In force 27 Feb 2026

In force Visa & immigration

H-1B lottery replaced by weighted (wage-based) selection

USCIS finalised a rule replacing the randomised H-1B lottery with a weighted selection system that prioritises higher-paid roles. Registrations are weighted at different rates depending on the prevailing-wage level (Level I receives the lowest weight; Level IV the highest). Effective 27 February 2026; applies to the FY2027 cap registration season.

Who it affects: All H-1B cap-subject employers and prospective registrants from FY2027 onwards.

USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗ · Federal Register ↗ · US Department of Homeland Security ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Oct 2025

In force Visa & immigration

DV Lottery ineligible-country list updated for DV-2027

The Department of State's annual DV-lottery ineligibility list is recalculated each year based on prior-5-year immigration volumes. For DV-2027 (registration Oct-Nov 2025), several countries were added to the ineligible list (Brazil, Colombia joined the existing list of high-volume countries); some smaller countries previously ineligible became eligible. Practical effect: shifts in who can register for the 50,000 annual diversity visas.

Who it affects: Prospective DV-lottery registrants from countries added to or removed from the ineligible list.

US Department of State ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 21 Sept 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Presidential Proclamation imposes US$100,000 fee per H-1B petition

Presidential Proclamation issued 19 September 2025 imposed a US$100,000 additional fee per H-1B visa petition as a condition of eligibility, effective immediately for new petitions submitted after 12:01 am EDT on 21 September 2025. Applies to FY2026 lottery petitions and any subsequent H-1B petitions. Litigation challenges filed; implementation continues pending court rulings.

Who it affects: All new H-1B petitions submitted after 12:01 am EDT, 21 September 2025.

The White House ↗ · USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗ · US Department of State ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 20 Jan 2025

In force Residency

Presidential executive orders on immigration issued on inauguration day

A series of executive orders issued on 20 January 2025 substantially reshaped US immigration policy — ending CBP One parole appointments at the southern border, ending Biden-era humanitarian parole programmes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, directing enhanced interior enforcement, and initiating a review of refugee-admission ceilings. Subsequent implementing orders and court rulings have tempered, expanded, or delayed various elements.

Who it affects: Broad immigration ecosystem — asylum, border enforcement, parole programmes, humanitarian protections.

The White House ↗ · US Department of Homeland Security ↗ · USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 17 Jan 2025

In force Visa & immigration

USCIS H-1B Modernization Rule — registration integrity, degree recognition

Effective 17 January 2025, the USCIS H-1B Modernization Rule introduced several changes: beneficiary-centric registration (each individual eligible for selection once regardless of multiple employer registrations), clarification of specialty-occupation standards (direct relationship between degree and role required), streamlined cap-gap student extensions. Pre-dates and is distinct from the 2025 Trump administration weighted-selection rule.

Who it affects: All H-1B cap-subject registrants and employers.

USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗ · Federal Register ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2025

In force Residency

DACA programme remains under litigation; no new applications accepted

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) remains under continued federal court litigation following the 5th Circuit's September 2023 ruling upholding the July 2021 district-court order that found the programme unlawful. Existing DACA recipients continue to be able to renew; no new initial applications are being processed pending final judicial resolution. Congressional legislation remains the only reliable permanent-status path.

Who it affects: Approximately 580,000 current DACA recipients and a larger pool of potentially-eligible undocumented youth.

USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗ · US Department of Homeland Security ↗ · verified 2026-04-19