This Week in Immigration: March 13, 2026

U.S. Immigration News

H-1B Cap Season Is Underway — What Employers Should Know

The FY 2027 H-1B cap season is now underway, with electronic registrations open from March 4 to March 19, 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will again use a beneficiary-centric system, meaning each worker is entered only once in the selection process. This year also marks the first cap season using a wage-weighted selection system, which gives higher-paid positions more entries based on prevailing wage levels. Selected employers will have a 90-day window starting April 1 to file full H-1B petitions. Everything you need to know is in our guide.

U.S. Plans to Process 4,500 White South African Refugees Per Month

The United States plans to process up to 4,500 refugee applications per month from white South Africans, according to a newly reported State Department contracting document. The plan includes installing temporary processing facilities on U.S. Embassy property in Pretoria to handle the volume. President Donald Trump has argued that Afrikaners face persecution in South Africa, a claim the South African government rejects. The target would exceed the administration’s stated refugee admissions cap for fiscal year 2026, though officials say refugee travel has recently faced administrative delays.

Judge Blocks Fast-Track Immigration Appeals Rule

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration plan to overhaul how migrants appeal immigration court decisions. The proposal would have automatically dismissed most appeals unless a majority of the Board of Immigration Appeals voted within 10 days to reconsider a case — a change critics said would speed deportations. Judge Randolph Moss ruled the administration failed to follow required “notice-and-comment” procedures before implementing the policy. His decision pauses the rule but leaves open the possibility that the administration could try again after completing the proper rulemaking process.

State Department Tightens Diversity Visa Rules, Adds Passport Requirement

The U.S. Department of State has finalized a rule aimed at strengthening vetting and reducing fraud in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Beginning with the DV-2028 lottery, applicants must upload a valid, unexpired passport when submitting their online entry; applications without a passport scan will be automatically disqualified. The rule also introduces enhanced fraud-prevention measures to detect duplicate or manipulated entries and clarifies eligibility standards. The new requirements take effect April 10, 2026.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow End of TPS for Haitians

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 350,000 Haitians living legally in the United States. The request follows a federal judge’s ruling blocking the move, which found the administration may not have properly justified ending the protections. TPS allows people from countries facing crisis to live and work in the U.S. temporarily. The Supreme Court is already reviewing similar disputes involving TPS for other nationalities.

Global

UAE Allows Re-Entry for Residents Stranded Abroad After Permit Expiry

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a temporary one-month policy allowing residents stranded abroad to return even if their residency permits expired on or after February 28, 2026. The measure applies to individuals unable to reenter the country due to regional airspace closures or flight suspensions. Valid through March 31, 2026, the policy allows affected residents to reenter without applying for a new entry visa and to regularize their status without penalties. Authorities say airports and service centers remain on alert to assist travelers affected by ongoing disruptions.

Canada Pauses Deportations to Israel and Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflict

Canada has temporarily halted removals to Israel and Lebanon, citing ongoing violence and safety risks in both countries. The Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR), effective March 7, 2026, allows affected individuals with removal orders to remain in Canada until conditions improve. The measure does not apply to people found inadmissible for serious criminality, security concerns, human rights violations, or organized crime. Officials say removals may resume once the situation stabilizes.

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