San Diego’s immigration community has been rattled by new reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is arresting individuals with no criminal history during routine green card interviews at USCIS offices—a practice that is historically unprecedented and deeply alarming.
What’s Happening
Starting in early November, immigration attorneys began reporting that ICE agents had been detaining green card applicants at routine interviews conducted at USCIS field offices.
The U.S. State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that it’s making changes to the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. While it hasn’t yet confirmed when registration will open, the government says those dates—and the timing for entry-status check results—will be released “as soon as practicable.”
Importantly, these changes do not affect the visa application window for those selected: it will remain October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Alongside the timing delay, there’s a historic new requirement: a mandatory $1 electronic registration fee. The fee is non-refundable, must be paid at the time of entry, and became effective October 2025.
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of December, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of December?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
On November 12, 2025, a federal court ruling in the case Moody et al. v. Mayorkas et al. granted relief to new investors in the EB-5 program by halting the increased application fees introduced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on April 1, 2024.
What fees were increased?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the fee changes that were challenged:
On October 29, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an interim final rule that will end the automatic extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for most renewal applicants effective October 30, 2025.
In this post, we’ll unpack what’s changing, who it affects, the rationale behind the change, and what individuals and employers should do to prepare.
What was the previous policy?
Historically, noncitizens who held valid EADs (Form I-766) and timely filed a renewal application (Form I-765) before their current EAD expired often automatically received continued employment authorization while the renewal was pending. This “automatic extension” policy served as a buffer to prevent employment gaps.
These policies helped many workers avoid a lapse in authorization while waiting for processing of their renewal application.
What is changing now?
Starting October 30, 2025, the automatic extension of work authorization for most renewal applicants will end.
What to know
In short, you will not be authorized to keep working simply because you filed a renewal — you must wait for the new EAD to be approved by USCIS.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a new $1,000 immigration parole fee for most individuals granted parole into the country, effective October 16, 2025.
Announced by DHS and USCIS under the H.R. 1 legislation, the fee applies at the time parole is granted, even if the application was filed before the rule took effect. Only a few narrow exceptions are available such as for those applying for green cards returning after temporary travel abroad and those facing medical emergencies.
Officials say the policy aims to curb “rampant abuse” of the parole system and ensure the government recovers administrative costs. It also comes alongside broader fee increases for other immigration benefits, including work permits for parolees and asylum seekers.
This marks a major shift in how parole is handled, making the process more restrictive and costly.
Applicants will now face higher financial barriers, and exceptions will be tightly limited, signaling a tougher stance on parole admissions going forward.
Starting October 16, 2025, if your parole or re-parole request is approved and requires the immigration parole fee, you will receive a notice with payment instructions and a deadline.
The fee must be paid in full and on time before your request can be approved. Parole will not be granted if the payment is not completed as instructed by USCIS.
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the November 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of November, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of November?
Employment-Based Categories
There are no changes to the Dates for Filing and Final Action charts for the employment-based categories when compared to the October Visa Bulletin.
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
On Friday evening, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order establishing a new pathway to permanent residency called “The Gold Card.” This program creates a fast-track green card option for wealthy individuals who make significant “gifts” to the U.S. government through the Department of Commerce.
Highlights
Although clear guidance on the application process has not yet been provided, the executive order outlines several key features:
To qualify for an immigrant visa through the Gold Card program, applicants must provide an unrestricted gift (without conditions or limitations) to the Department of Commerce in the following amounts.
Potential Legal Challenges
The Gold Card Executive Order, aimed at streamlining the visa process for wealthy donors may face several legal challenges. Plaintiffs could argue that it oversteps executive authority by altering immigration policy without congressional approval, potentially violating the Immigration and Nationality Act. Additionally, if the order is seen as favoring certain nationalities or industries, it may prompt lawsuits alleging discrimination or unequal treatment under the law. Legal battles may also arise from states or interest groups concerned about labor market impacts or federal overreach, leading to judicial review that could delay or block its implementation.
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of October, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the October 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of October?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
On September 3, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of the 2021 designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) previously granted to Venezuelans by President Biden.
The government’s actions mean that the 2021 designation for Venezuela TPS and any associated TPS-related protection and documentation for beneficiaries will expire on September 10, 2025. The termination becomes effective 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice.
Venezuelans have long been targeted by the Trump administration due to organized crime from violent Venezuelan gangs such as the Tren de Aragua.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that President Trump has called to dismantle TPS protections for Venezuelan nationals.
What this means
All TPS protection and associated work authorization will expire on the dates indicated above.
Visa Lawyer Blog