This Week in Immigration: May 1, 2026

U.S. Immigration News

Shutdown Ends After 76 Days as DHS Funding Bill Signed

President Donald Trump has signed a spending bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ending a 76-day partial government shutdown that disrupted airport operations nationwide. The measure restores funding for core DHS functions but excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), leaving those agencies in limbo. The standoff stemmed from Democratic demands for enforcement reforms after fatal incidents involving immigration officers, which Republicans rejected. Lawmakers are now considering a separate bill that could provide up to $70 billion in funding for ICE and CBP.

USCIS Pauses Approvals Pending Expanded Background Checks

The Trump administration has ordered “enhanced” security screening for immigration applicants, requiring U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to hold off on approving cases until new checks are completed. Effective April 27, 2026, the agency will receive expanded criminal history data from the FBI, including for green card and naturalization applications. Pending cases may need fingerprint resubmissions if earlier checks are outdated.

Canada Opens Citizenship to Descendants

Canada has expanded its citizenship-by-descent rules, allowing people with a Canada-born ancestor, including great-grandparents or earlier, to apply. The change, which took effect in December 2025, follows a court ruling that struck down limits on passing citizenship beyond the first generation. Early demand is rising, especially among Americans. Still, approval isn’t guaranteed: applicants must prove lineage through official records, often requiring extensive archival research. The policy could extend eligibility to millions worldwide, even as Canada tightens other immigration pathways.

New Visa Interviews Add Asylum Questions, Raising Denial Risk

New guidance from the U.S. Department of State requires consular officers to ask all nonimmigrant visa applicants whether they’ve experienced harm or fear returning home — questions tied to asylum claims. The policy, reported by outlets including The Guardian and The Washington Post, applies across tourist, student, and work visas. Applicants who answer “yes” or decline to respond may be refused. The questions are asked verbally and logged by officers.

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