Immigration in the USA in 2026: Main Changes and Perspectives

The U.S. immigration landscape underwent profound transformations between 2025 and early 2026. New executive orders, unprecedented programs, and regulatory changes have reshaped the rules of the game for those seeking to live and work legally in the country. For skilled professionals, understanding these changes is essential to devise a realistic and well-informed immigration strategy.

Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the focus of immigration policy has visibly shifted: stricter border control and fraud enforcement, combined with initiatives that favor merit-based and professional qualification immigration. This dual movement has created an environment that may seem paradoxical-more restrictive on some fronts, but potentially more favorable for certain categories of immigrants.

Border Control and Asylum

One of the most visible changes was the tightening of control at the southern land border. The government intensified deportations of individuals with final removal orders, criminal records, or involvement in immigration fraud. The volume of irregular crossings dropped significantly compared to previous years.

The reduction in the flow of asylum cases has an important indirect effect: USCIS resources that were previously allocated to processing these cases have been reallocated to regular immigration programs. This may contribute to reduced processing times in employment- and investment-based categories, although concrete results are still being observed.

Changes in TPS and Refugees

The government ended or announced its intention to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than ten countries, including Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Ethiopia, and others. The measures affect more than 1 million beneficiaries who depended on this program to remain legally in the U.S., although several court decisions have blocked or delayed some of the terminations.

At the same time, the refugee admission program was drastically reduced. Fraud investigations gained prominence with Operation PARRIS, launched in January 2026 in Minnesota, which began re-examining about 5,600 refugee cases with expanded background checks and in-person interviews. The operation was partially limited by a court decision but signaled an unprecedented enforcement stance by DHS.

H-1B: $100,000 Fee

Perhaps the most impactful change for skilled professionals was the creation of a $100,000 supplemental fee for certain H-1B petitions. Instituted by presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, this fee applies to new petitions for beneficiaries who are outside the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa. The stated goal is to prioritize the hiring of American workers and direct the program toward highly qualified professionals.

The measure generated significant controversy. Two lawsuits (Global Nurse Force v. Trump and Chamber of Commerce v. DHS) challenge the president’s authority to impose this fee. The proclamation is valid for 12 months from September 2025 and may be extended. For employers sponsoring H-1B, the total cost of the process has increased substantially, which may redirect some demand to other visa categories.

The Gold Card Program

One of the most talked-about innovations was the launch of the Trump Gold Card, made official in December 2025 through the government website trumpcard.gov. The program offers permanent residence via EB-1 or EB-2 categories in exchange for a $1 million donation to the federal government, plus a $15,000 processing fee to DHS.

For companies, there is a corporate version: the Corporate Gold Card allows employers to sponsor employees with a $2 million donation. A third level, the Platinum Card, has not yet been launched but would allow residence in the U.S. for up to 270 days per year without taxation on foreign income. The program represents an alternative route to the traditional green card process, aimed at individuals and companies with high purchasing power.

Stricter Background Checks

All visa categories are now subject to more detailed scrutiny. USCIS implemented expanded background checks, including social media review, to identify fraud and national security risks. These measures were based on Executive Order 14161 and Presidential Proclamation 10949.

In practice, this means that petitions and consular visa applications may take longer to be adjudicated, especially for applicants from countries with a high history of fraud or unlawful presence. On the other hand, candidates with strong profiles and complete documentation tend to be less affected and may even benefit from screening that filters fraudulent petitions from the queue.

The Outlook for Skilled Professionals

The sum of these changes points in a clear direction: the U.S. is recalibrating its immigration system to favor merit-based immigration, professional qualifications, and investment capacity. Sectors such as technology, healthcare, energy, and artificial intelligence continue to demand specialized labor, and the government recognizes that skilled immigrants are a key component of economic growth.

For skilled professionals considering immigrating to the United States, the moment calls for strategic planning. Categories such as EB-2 NIW, O-1, and L-1 remain viable paths for those with exceptional qualifications or intra-company transfers. The increase in costs and complexity of the H-1B may make these alternatives even more attractive in 2026.

Staying up to date on regulatory changes, preparing robust documentation, and understanding the nuances of each category are essential steps for those who wish to successfully navigate the current American immigration landscape.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.