U.S. Travel Industry Blasts DHS Suspension of Global Entry Amid Shutdown
DHS & DOL Release 64,716 Supplemental H-2B Visas for FY 2026
State Department Lifts Shelter-in-Place for Americans in Mexico as Jalisco Airports Reopen
Latest News
State of the Union 2026: Trump Presses ‘Save America Act’ and Sanctuary-City Penalties
In his Feb 24 State of the Union, President Trump demanded passage of the Save America Act to bar non-citizen voting and punish sanctuary-city officials, touting a ‘zero illegal entry’ record. The speech foreshadows stricter interior enforcement and could stall bipartisan talks on high-skilled visa reforms, heightening compliance risk for employers.
H-1B Wage-Weighted Lottery Clears Key Hurdle, Raising Employer Costs
OIRA finished vetting DHS’s prevailing-wage rule on Feb 24, paving the way for a wage-weighted H-1B lottery that could debut next month. Low-salary roles face steep odds, and a separate bill proposes a $100k filing fee for offshore hires, forcing employers to reassess compensation and sourcing strategies.
DHS Proposes Sweeping Overhaul of Asylum-Seeker Work Authorization
On Feb 23 2026 DHS unveiled an NPRM that would: 1) suspend intake of initial asylum-based EADs when backlogs exceed 180 days; 2) require asylum seekers to wait 365—rather than 180—days before applying; and 3) add new criminal and unlawful-entry bars. The rule aims to deter frivolous asylum filings but could delay workforce entry for tens of thousands of applicants, affecting employers in tight labor markets.
Global Entry Halted as DHS Shutdown Drags On, PreCheck Partially Restored
Because DHS’s partial shutdown still lacks a funding fix, CBP suspended Global Entry nationwide on Feb 23 2026. TSA PreCheck was briefly threatened but ultimately stayed open. The loss of expedited customs processing lengthens international arrivals, complicates tight business itineraries and could divert high-value travel to competing hubs.
Viral Post Rekindles Debate Over $100k H-1B Sponsorship Fee and Lottery Odds
A Feb 23 2026 Business Standard report on a viral social-media post spotlights how the new US$100k H-1B sponsorship fee and upcoming wage-weighted lottery are reshaping perceptions of the U.S. as a study-to-work destination. Employers face higher costs and tighter odds, while prospective international students are reconsidering alternatives.
Winter Blizzard Shuts Five Northeastern Passport Agencies, Delays Same-Day Issuance
A major blizzard closed five key U.S. passport agencies on Feb 23 2026, halting same-day issuance across much of the Northeast and extending expedited renewal timelines. Businesses with short-notice travel experienced higher costs and potential project delays.
U.S. Embassy Security Alert Disrupts Flights and Ground Transport in Cancun
Following an embassy alert citing cartel-related unrest, flight schedules at Cancun airport were thrown into disarray on Feb 23 2026 and U.S. citizens were told to limit movement. The disruption highlights how sudden security escalations can ripple through cross-border business and leisure travel.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Washington Farm-Labor Contractors for Massive H-2A Visa Fraud
On Feb 23 2026 federal prosecutors charged four Washington-state labor contractors with orchestrating a large-scale H-2A visa fraud and forced-labor scheme that brought 500 Mexican workers into abusive conditions. The case signals tougher enforcement of guest-worker rules and heightened compliance risks for agricultural employers.