Recent Policy news

1. The Trump administration is expected to cap refugee admissions to 7,500 people.

What happened: Multiple news reports indicate that President Trump is expected to lower the ceiling on refugee admissions to 7,500 people, which would mark the lowest presidential determination in the history of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Reports say the administration will prioritize resettling Afrikaners from South Africa and others facing “unjust discrimination.”

Each fiscal year since 1980, the president has set a cap of how many refugees the United States is prepared to welcome through USRAP, known as the Presidential Determination. Here is a look at the Presidential Determinations throughout history.

According to news reports, the 2026 Presidential Determination will not be finalized until Congress is consulted, which is legally required, but will not happen until after the government shutdown ends.

What it means: President Trump restricted USRAP with an executive order in January, which suspended resettlement for most refugees. If the Presidential Determination is approved at 7,500 people, the new cap will prevent thousands of families overseas who were already in the resettlement process from arriving in the United States. News reports state that the statuses of 130,000 refugees who were already conditionally approved and 14,000 Iranian religious minorities who registered to come to the United States are in limbo.

2. Some Ukrainians who arrived through Uniting for Ukraine are receiving re-parole

What happened: We’ve received reports from sponsors and partner groups that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is processing re-parole applications for Ukrainians who arrived through Uniting for Ukraine (U4U).

After a period of inactivity, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Bloomberg Law in September that Ukrainians can submit requests to renew parole that will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. They must demonstrate urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefits to justify their continued stay, the spokesperson said.

While President Trump said he would allow Ukrainians to remain in the U.S. until the war ends, there has not been a formal policy announcement to extend legal status to all Ukrainians who are already here.

What it means: Applications for re-parole are being considered on a case-by-case basis. If you’d like to learn more about applying for re-parole, watch our on-demand webinar featuring answers to common questions and expert guidance from Anne Smith, Executive Director and Regulatory Counsel for the Ukraine Immigration Task Force.

New USCIS fee for humanitarian parole and re-parole

On Oct. 16 the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice that it is implementing a $1,000 fee each time a person is granted humanitarian parole or re-parole, as required by the new law H.R. 1, which the Trump administration called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The fee is due when humanitarian parole or re-parole is actually granted (not when the request is filed). There are ten exceptions under which the fee will not be required (for example, serious medical emergencies, family death, organ donation, or assistance to U.S. law enforcement).

This new fee is applicable to Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) beneficiaries in the U.S. with a pending re-parole application, or who intend to apply for re-parole in the future. Beginning on Oct. 16, when USCIS decides to grant re-parole, they will issue a notice to the applicant stating that their re-parole approval is conditional upon payment of the $1,000 fee. USCIS will provide payment instructions and a deadline for each individual case through the myUSCIS portal. Re-parole will only be granted after the fee has been paid. Failure to pay within the time period provided in the conditional approval notice would result in denial of the re-parole request. Each individual applicant is required to file for re-parole separately and pay the fee, including applicants under the age of 18.

To be clear, this does not apply to humanitarian parole programs that have been terminated such as the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV).

3. The U.S. Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela.

What happened: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela was first designated in 2021 due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis there. A second designation was made in 2023, which allowed more recent arrivals to qualify. The Trump administration announced it would terminate the 2023 designation starting April 7, 2025, and also planned to end the 2021 designation when it expires on Nov. 7, 2025. The 2023 termination was challenged in court, and a federal judge temporarily blocked it. But on Oct. 3, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration to move forward with ending TPS protections while the legal case continues.

What it means: Venezuelans who arrived through the parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans may have applied for TPS as an alternative status. Those who received TPS for Venezuela under the 2023 designation have now lost protection from deportation and may no longer be authorized to work. Those under the 2021 designation remain protected until Nov. 7, 2025, unless the courts or the administration change course. The future of both groups remains uncertain as litigation continues.

4. The Diversity Visa Lottery will open in October.

What happened: A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department announced that the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2027 will open in early October 2025, with registration lasting about one month. The lottery gives people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates a chance to apply for a green card through a random lottery. Most refugees and immigrants who apply for this program come from countries such as Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Nepal, Egypt, and Myanmar. The lottery results will likely be announced in May 2026, and visa processing will happen between October 2026 and September 2027.

What it means: People from eligible countries who meet education or work experience requirements can apply online during the registration period. For the first time, a $1 non-refundable registration fee will be required. This program offers a unique way to get a green card, especially for people from countries that don’t send many immigrants to the U.S. For the most accurate and up to date information on registration dates for the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2027, please refer to the official website.