Last Week’s Highlights in Immigration: October 13, 2025
- Milow LeBlanc
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
Your quick, no-fluff roundup of the biggest immigration headlines, and what they mean for the PERM process.
$100K Question: New H-1B Fees and Stricter Rules Incoming
Just weeks after implementing a $100,000 H-1B application fee, the Trump administration is signaling yet another shake-up. A new Department of Homeland Security proposal would tighten eligibility, restrict cap exemptions, and increase oversight on employers and third-party placements — echoing Trump-era rules previously struck down in 2020. The rule is expected by December 2025, adding fresh uncertainty to U.S. employers already adjusting to higher costs and stricter scrutiny.
The PERM Takeaway: Employers leaning on PERM as a more stable, long-term talent pathway should take note. Rising H-1B barriers may drive more foreign talent through the green-card pipeline — and proactive recruitment advertising could become an even more critical piece of the compliance process.
Border Crossings Hit 50-Year Low
According to new DHS data, illegal border crossings are at their lowest level since 1970. Roughly 238,000 for FY 2025, with fewer than 9,000 per month under Trump so far. The White House credited military deployments and stricter enforcement, while advocates warn that enforcement alone won’t fix America’s broken system without broader reform.
The PERM Takeaway: Decreased border activity doesn’t mean decreased immigration demand. Employers are still navigating tight labor markets and long processing times. As political attention shifts to enforcement optics, employment-based immigration will continue carrying the weight of U.S. workforce needs.
From the Marines to the Bench: Trump Appoints Daren K. Margolin to Lead Immigration Courts
The Trump administration has appointed retired Marine Col. Daren K. Margolin as chief of the immigration court system, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), currently managing a record 3.8 million-case backlog. Margolin’s past includes dismissal from Marine command after a firearm incident, but he has since served as an immigration judge and assistant chief under Trump. His leadership marks another move toward a tougher adjudication environment.
The PERM Takeaway: Expect tighter interpretations of labor certifications and visa-related cases. For employers and law firms, precision and documentation quality in PERM recruitment will be more important than ever in a system prioritizing enforcement over leniency.
Moral Call to Action: Pope Leo XIV Challenges Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
During a meeting with Bishop Mark Seitz, Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with migrants “terrorized” by mass deportations, urging U.S. bishops to speak out. As the first U.S.-born pope (with dual Peruvian citizenship), Leo framed the issue as a moral responsibility, reminding leaders that compassion for life must include compassion for the displaced.
The PERM Takeaway: Public sentiment around immigration is more than policy... it’s narrative. As the moral and humanitarian conversation deepens, employers who prioritize ethical recruitment and compliance can position themselves as leaders in fair, transparent workforce mobility.
5. Court Halts ICE From Detaining Migrant Youths Turning 18
A federal judge has blocked ICE from automatically transferring unaccompanied minors into adult detention when they reach 18. The agency’s halted policy even included a $2,500 “self-deportation” offer to those aging out. Judge Rudolph Contreras reaffirmed that the government must seek least punitive alternatives per a 2021 injunction.
The PERM Takeaway: Even as enforcement policies expand, the courts are pushing back — highlighting the ongoing tension between humanitarian and administrative priorities. For employers, that tension underscores the need for clear, compliant, and documented hiring practices under DOL and DHS oversight.
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