Historic Blizzard Grounds Travel Across Northeast; Partial Reopenings Begin
Trump Administration Gives ICE New Power to Detain Legal Refugees Awaiting Green Cards
Canada Tells FIFA World Cup Fans: Apply Early—No Special Visa Will Be Issued
Latest News
U.S. Travel Industry Blasts DHS Suspension of Global Entry Amid Shutdown
DHS paused Global Entry on Feb 24 during a government shutdown, forcing 13 million members into regular passport lines. U.S. Travel and airlines say the fee-funded program actually saves CBP money and reduces congestion; its suspension is already causing longer waits and missed connections. Companies are revising travel policies and pressing Congress to shield Global Entry from future shutdowns.
DHS & DOL Release 64,716 Supplemental H-2B Visas for FY 2026
DHS and DOL opened 64,716 extra H-2B visas on Feb 24 to ease acute seasonal-labor shortages. Most go to returning workers, with a carve-out for Central American and Haitian nationals. Construction, hospitality and seafood firms must act fast, while compliance teams should prepare for heightened audits.
State Department Lifts Shelter-in-Place for Americans in Mexico as Jalisco Airports Reopen
After a cartel leader’s death sparked weekend violence, the U.S. lifted its shelter-in-place guidance for Americans in Mexico on Feb 24 and confirmed that Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara airports have reopened. Travelers should stay enrolled in STEP, monitor curfews in Jalisco, and build itinerary flexibility as security operations continue.
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.