Last Week in Immigration: Backlogs, Birthrights & Bureaucratic Blunders

USCIS Warns of Job Cuts — Backlogs Could Surge Again 

USCIS is sounding the alarm on potential employee retirements and layoffs, which could bring déjà vu of 2020-level backlogs. The agency, which runs on application fees—not taxpayer dollars—may be headed toward another season of slowdowns. If cuts go through, the result will likely be longer processing times for employers and applicants alike.

The PERM Takeaway: Fewer USCIS workers = longer adjudication timelines. Employers planning to sponsor foreign workers should get a head start on the PERM process and prepare for potential slowdowns in I-140 and adjustment stages. Timely filing has never been more strategic.

---

International Students Sue Over Sudden Visa Revocations 

Lawsuits are mounting as international students face abrupt visa cancellations, sometimes for minor or outdated infractions. With no prior warning and limited explanation, many are left in legal limbo. Top-tier universities and civil rights groups are pushing back against what appears to be a sweeping policy shift.

The PERM Takeaway: Today’s students are tomorrow’s skilled workers. Visa uncertainty at the student level disrupts long-term workforce pipelines. Employers should track policy shifts that may affect future H-1B and PERM-eligible candidates coming from U.S. universities.

---

Florida Man Born in U.S. Wrongly Detained by ICE 

In a legal and PR nightmare, a U.S.-born citizen was jailed under a suspended immigration law in Florida. Even with proof of citizenship, ICE requested his continued detention. The arrest was dropped only after widespread media exposure, raising serious questions about enforcement oversight.

The PERM Takeaway: Overzealous or misinformed enforcement creates distrust across immigrant communities—including those legally eligible to work. Employers should prioritize clear communication and legal clarity when onboarding foreign workers to avoid confusion or undue scrutiny.

---

Supreme Court to Review Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban

Trump’s executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship is now headed to the Supreme Court. Although lower courts have repeatedly blocked the order as unconstitutional, the upcoming hearing signals a fresh legal battle. Legal scholars largely agree the 14th Amendment protects citizenship by birth.

The PERM Takeaway: Fundamental shifts in immigration law—even unlikely ones—can shape public sentiment and policy downstream. Employers relying on immigrant labor should stay plugged into legal trends that might ripple into work visa reforms or status definitions.