ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABILITY

Notice Date: April 17, 2025
Effective Date: June 17, 2025

This interim final rule amends the Department of Justice regulations relating to the organization of the Board of Immigration Appeals by reducing the Board to 15 members. 

Notice Date: April 14, 2025
Effective Date: May 14, 2025

Notice Date: April 11, 2025
Effective Date: April 11, 2025

Policy Memo from the immigration courts directing dismissal of asylum claims that clearly lack merit without formal hearing. 

Notice Date: April 11, 2025
Effective Date: April 11, 2025

Notice Date: April 8, 2025
Effective Date: April 8, 2025

Notice Date: March 25, 2025
Effective Date: April 25, 2025

Notice Date: March 25, 2025
Effective Date: March 25, 2025

Notice Date: March 25, 2025
Effective Date: March 25, 2025

This interim final rule (IFR) removes a specific provision that precludes ORR from “shar[ing] any immigration status information relating to potential sponsors with any law enforcement or immigration enforcement related entity at any time.”

Notice Date: March 25, 2025
Effective Date: March 25, 2025

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) commits the two departments to coordinate combatting illegal immigration in the federal housing programs. 

Notice Date: March 24, 2025
Effective Date: March 24, 2025

Notice Date: March 19, 2025
Effective Date: March 19, 2025

Notice Date: March 15, 2025
Effective Date: March 15, 2025

On January 15, 2025, former President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to
expand and extend the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents present in the United States through February 5, 2027, and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. This notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Hong Kong residents and how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS, as well as for travel authorization. 

Notice Date: March 12, 2025
Effective Date: April 14, 2025

Notice Date: March 5, 2025
Effective Date: May 5, 2025

Notice Date: Feb. 28, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 28, 2025

Notice Date: Feb. 25, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 25, 2025

Department of State announces the designation of Tren de Aragua (TdA), Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), Cártel del Noreste (CDN), La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM), Cártel de Golfo (CDG), and Cárteles Unidos (CU) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

Notice Date: Feb. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 20, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces the decision to partially vacate the June 4, 2024 decision of impeached Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the extension of the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the new designation of Haiti for TPS. Impeached Secretary Mayorkas again extended the designation of Haiti for TPS for the statutory maximum of 18 months (until February 3, 2026), which covered approximately 199,445 Haitian nationals; and again newly designated Haiti for TPS, which had the effect of allowing approximately 321,349 additional Haitian nationals to qualify for the same 18-month period. The Secretary has determined to partially vacate the June 4, 2024, decision by reducing the designation period from 18 months to 12 months. The Secretary is also making a corresponding change to the registration deadline for new applicants under the new designation. Accordingly, by operation of this notice, the Haiti TPS extension and new designation will expire on August 3, 2025, instead of February 3, 2026, and the first-time registration will remain in effect until August 3, 2025, instead of February 3, 2026. 

Notice Date: Feb. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 20, 2025

This Executive Order directs all Federal agencies to identify programs providing eligibility for cash and non-cash public benefits to illegal immigrants in violation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. 

It also requires a similar review of all payments to States and localities to ensure no subsidization of illegal immigration is occurring. This includes review of any funding for sanctuary jurisdictions. The EO also calls for enhancing eligibility verification systems in the Federal system. 

Interestingly, the Order also requires a report from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and DOGE in 30 days identifying sources of Federal funding for illegal immigrants. 

Notice Date: Feb. 19, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 19, 2025

The general announcement of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that they have jurisdiction over discrimination claims by American workers against companies exclusively hiring foreign workers while re-affirming a commitment to enforce the law rigorously.

Notice Date: Feb. 19, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 19, 2025

Notice Date: Feb. 5, 2025
Effective Date: April 7, 2025

Notice Date: Feb. 5, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 5, 2025

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces decision to vacate TPS extension for Venezuela. 

Notice Date: Feb. 3, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 3, 2025

The Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made a formal finding “that there exist circumstances involving the administration of the immigration laws of the United States that endanger the lives, property, safety, or welfare of the residents of all 50 States and that an actual or imminent mass influx of aliens is arriving at the southern border of the United States and presents urgent circumstances requiring an immediate federal response.” 

The finding concludes with a formal request for assistance from all 50 States in the administration of Federal immigration law. The finding and request for assistance expire in 60 days unless renewed by the Secretary.

Notice Date: Jan. 23, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 23, 2025

USCIS will no longer require proof of Covid vaccine for adjustment of status applicants.  

Notice Date: Jan. 22, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 22, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security has restarted the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) which requires asylum seekers to remain in the adjoining country from which they arrived until their court hearing.

Notice Date: Jan. 21, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 21, 2025

This Federal Register Notice rescinds Biden Administration restrictions on implementation of Expedited Removal. 

Notice Date: Jan. 21, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 21, 2025

These are interim changes reinstating policies of the first Trump Administration regarding charging and sentencing. The memo references the charging and sentencing guidelines established by the first Trump Administration in 2017 as controlling policy. That previous memo required the most serious, readily provable charges be pursued, along with other stringent sentencing requirements.

As part of the new sentencing and charging directives, the memo mandates that U.S. Attorneys pursue all cases where immigration-related charges can be applied. Additionally, U.S. Attorneys are required to monitor their progress, with quarterly reporting on their advancements.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force must prioritize addressing violations related to illegal immigration in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

Furthermore, the memo instructs all law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals, to review their files for relevant information to share with DHS.

The memo also calls for investigations into potential offenses committed by officials in sanctuary jurisdictions who obstruct lawful federal enforcement efforts and harbor criminal fugitives. Obstruction of justice and harboring illegal aliens are both federal crimes. To support the investigation of sanctuary jurisdictions for civil and criminal violations, the memo announces the establishment of the "Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group."

Notice Date: Jan. 21, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 21, 2025

In one of its first moves, the Trump Administration shut down the CBP One app that allowed illegal aliens to make appointments at ports of entry to enter the United States without authorization. By shutting down the mobile app, the administration also cancelled all pending appointments that had already been scheduled.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

Requires Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to cooperate in creation of “enhanced vetting” procedures for aliens seeking visas and admission to the United States. It also requires recommendations within 30 days for policy and procedural changes required to vet aliens effectively.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This Order revokes the following Biden Executive Orders: Executive Order 13993 of January 20, 2021 (Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities); Executive Order 14010 of February 2, 2021 (Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework To Address the Causes of Migration, To Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and To Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border); Executive Order 14011 of February 2, 2021 (Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families); and Executive Order 14012 of February 2, 2021 (Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans) and instructs all Departments to revoke policies and procedures implemented under these EOs. 

Additionally it requires Homeland Security Investigations (HSI, a component of ICE) to focus on their immigration enforcement mission and requires the Attorney General to prioritize prosecutions for illegal entry.

To build out enforcement capability, the Order establishes a joint task force between the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland security to coordinate enforcement efforts. 

The Order requires implementation of the law requiring all aliens in the United States to register with the government and provide identifying information. It also designates any aliens failing to comply with registration as an enforcement priority. 

The Order also requires the Homeland Security Secretary to use expedited removal authority and 287g cooperative agreements with law enforcement to the maximum extent allowed by law. Additionally the government is required to end abuse of Parole and Temporary Protected Status and the Department of State is instructed to use sanctions under 243(d) against countries that refuse to accept the return of removable aliens. 

Next, the Order requires a review of funding and support for sanctuary jurisdictions and illegal aliens. The Order requires a review of funding and policies and procedures concerning sanctuary jurisdictions.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This Executive Order states that no U.S. citizenship is conferred on a child born in the United States if the mother is unlawfully present at time of birth and the father is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident, or if the mother has nonimmigrant status and the father is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident. The Order takes effect in 30 days.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This Order suspends the U.S. Refugee Program for at least 90 days, subject to renewal with the agreement of DOJ and DHS.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This is a Proclamation declaring a national emergency at the border under U.S. law. Under this emergency declaration the President unlocks Department of Defense funding, equipment, and personnel that can be directed to border security construction and enforcement efforts.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This order requires USNORTHCOM to add sealing the border to its mission in the Unified Command Plan. NORTHCOM will be required to “seal the borders and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States by repelling forms of invasion including unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, and other criminal activities.”

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

President Trump proclaims the border crisis an invasion and invokes 1182(f) to suspend entry for all “aliens engaged in the invasion.”

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This Order creates a process by which cartels and criminal gangs terrorizing the United States can be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

At heart, this Executive Order reiterates the legal requirement to gain and maintain operational control over the border. It does this by first admitting the obvious truth that the Biden Administration lost operational control, and then it establishes the policies required to regain and maintain it. These include ending the abuse of parole through the CBP One App and categorical parole programs and ending catch-and-release policies facilitated by the unlawful parole programs. 

In their place, the EO requires restoration of Remain in Mexico and mandatory detention. To supplement this effort, the EO requires the Department of Justice to engage in criminal investigation and prosecution as a priority to assist in delivering enforcement consequences for aliens violating the law. The Order, building on the Emergency Declaration, directs the Department of Defense to supplement with resources and personnel in efforts to gain operational control. 

This EO also includes the important requirement for DOJ and DHS to implement biometric collection for encountered aliens as required by law. This has never been fully implemented before and is crucial in detecting vile human slavery traffickers and preventing the “recycling” of children.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

This Order rescinds various executive orders and actions of the Biden Administration, including several harmful immigration-related actions such as:

• Executive Order 13986 of January 20, 2021 (Ensuring a Lawful and Accurate Enumeration and Apportionment Pursuant to the Decennial Census);
• Executive Order 13993 of January 20, 2021 (Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities);
• Executive Order 14011 of February 2, 2021 (Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families);
• Executive Order 14012 of February 2, 2021 (Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans) and;
• Executive Order 14013 of February 4, 2021 (Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration).

It also orders the Domestic Policy Council within the White House to identify follow-on policies and procedures from these Biden actions for revocation within 45 days.

Notice Date: Jan. 20, 2025
Effective Date: Jan. 20, 2025

On January 15, 2025, former President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to expand and extend the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents present in the United States through February 5, 2027, and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. This notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Hong Kong residents and how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS, as well as for travel authorization. 

Notice Date: Jan. 15, 2025
Effective Date: Feb. 5, 2027