DHS To Monitor Noncitizens’ Social Media for Antisemitism

On April 9, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced it will begin to screen  noncitizens’ social media posts for evidence of antisemitic activity and use the content as grounds for denying immigration benefits requests. The policy, which will go in effect immediately, will affect foreign nationals applying for permanent resident status, foreign students, and foreign nationals “affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.” 

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Foreign National Students Facing Visa Revocations

Since April 4, 2025, international students in the United States on valid F-1 student visas have reported receiving notice that their SEVIS (“Student and Exchange Visitor Information System”) records had been terminated and their F-1 visas revoked—effectively leaving them without lawful status. According to The Guardian, students from more than 50 universities shared that their visas were canceled around April 4 with many noting they had never been charged with any criminal offenses. These reports follow a series of alarming developments involving the detention of foreign national students for their participation in pro-Palestine activities and the Department of State’s confirmation that over 300 student visas had been revoked. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited national interest and students’ criminal records as the basis for these actions.

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USCIS Abandons Third Gender Option

On April 2, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced it is updating the USCIS Policy Manual  to recognize only two biological sexes, male and female, for all immigration-related benefits requests and documentation. Under the guidance, “USCIS considers a person’s sex as that which is generally evidenced on the birth certificate issued at or nearest to the time of birth.” The decision will impact a variety of key documents that the USCIS issues, including green cards, employment authorization documents, and naturalization certificates.

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USCIS Completes Selections from Electronic Registrations for FY2026 H-1B Cap

On March 31, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced they had received enough initial electronic registrations for unique individuals for the fiscal year 2026 (“FY26”) H-1B cap, as well as the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) and have randomly selected enough properly submitted registrations. The Service has completed the notifications to all employers who submitted online registrations. Those with selected registrations may begin filing H-1B cap subject petitions for FY2026 as of April 1, 2025 and the period to file their petition with the service will be at least 90 days. Petitions may be filed either on paper at the correct filing location  or online at my.uscis.gov within the filing period that is indicated on the selection notice.

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