Last Week’s Highlights in Immigration: Fees, Fears & the Green Card Gamble
- Milow LeBlanc
- May 12
- 2 min read
Trump Petitions SCOTUS to End Humanitarian Parole Program
The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate its plan to revoke temporary legal status for over 400,000 migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Critics warn mass terminations would disrupt communities and businesses, and violate legal norms requiring case-by-case review.
The PERM Takeaway: If mass parole terminations move forward, it could shrink the already-limited labor pool for employers relying on TPS and parole recipients. Strategic recruitment planning, including PERM-based hiring, may become even more essential for future workforce stability.
2026 Green Card Lottery Winners Announced
Out of millions of applicants, only 55,000 individuals were selected for the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. The DV program provides permanent residency to those from countries with historically low immigration rates. Here’s how to find out if you’ve been selected for the 2026 DV lottery.
The PERM Takeaway: The lottery's slim odds reinforce that the PERM process remains the most reliable and employer-controlled pathway to secure long-term talent. It’s not luck—it’s strategy.
ICE Gains Broad Powers to Cancel Student Visas
A week after restoring foreign students’ legal status, immigration officials unveiled plans for a sweeping new policy giving ICE broad authority to terminate that status again. The policy allows revocation based on vague “noncompliance” or visa cancellation without proof or court review. Critics warn it could trigger a new wave of deportations and bypass legal safeguards. Immigration attorneys say the plan reflects ICE’s push to expand its powers and sidestep recent court rulings protecting international students.
The PERM Takeaway: This volatility could affect the transition of international students into the workforce. Employers hiring OPT/STEM candidates should consider early green card sponsorship and PERM planning to reduce visa dependency risk.
GOP Plan: $1,100+ in Work Permit Fees for Asylum Seekers
House Republicans have released a new plan that would significantly raise fees for work permits and asylum applications. The proposal, introduced by the House Judiciary Committee, would require asylum seekers, parolees, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to pay $550 for an initial work permit (Form I-765) and an additional $550 every six months for renewals. Supporters say the plan aims to boost funding for immigration enforcement by increasing legal application costs
The PERM Takeaway: Rising fee structures may deter temporary work authorization routes, making PERM-based sponsorship a more predictable and potentially cost-effective long-term solution for businesses.
Trump Offers $1,000 to Migrants Who “Self-Deport”
Trump’s administration has launched a program offering $1,000 and free travel for undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. using a CBP app. Critics warn of coercion and lack of legal clarity.
The PERM Takeaway: This initiative may signal intensified removal efforts ahead. Companies employing foreign nationals should double-check compliance on all labor certification filings and I-9 procedures to avoid legal exposure.
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