Last Week’s Highlights in Immigration: Surveillance, Crackdowns & Compliance Chaos

USCIS Now Reviewing Social Media for Antisemitic Content The News:

 In response to rising antisemitism, USCIS will begin scrutinizing immigration applications for antisemitic social media activity and content supporting terrorist organizations. While aimed at curbing hate speech, immigrant rights groups caution the policy could inadvertently suppress political speech and unfairly target marginalized voices amid intensifying global conflicts.

The PERM Takeaway: As scrutiny on individual applicants grows, especially online, employers need to ensure that their PERM recruitment processes are buttoned up and avoid delays that could arise from extended adjudication or unexpected denials. Transparency and preparedness are more important than ever in talent onboarding.

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IRS to Share Tax Data with ICE The News: 

A controversial move has the IRS preparing to share taxpayer information with ICE for deportation enforcement. Though no data has been shared yet, lawsuits are already in motion to challenge the legality of the decision. Immigration advocates argue this could hurt compliance and breed fear in immigrant communities.

The PERM Takeaway: Trust is the foundation of workforce stability. This move may make some foreign nationals wary of engaging with federal systems—even legally. Employers should reassure candidates about legal protections in the employment-based immigration process and be ready for a potential uptick in questions or hesitations.

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Visa Crackdown on International Students Over Minor Offenses The News: 

Dozens of international students at prestigious universities lost their visas without warning due to SEVIS terminations tied to minor infractions. Many flagged as criminals were only guilty of small-scale traffic violations. The incident has ignited fears of overreach and policy misapplication under stricter immigration enforcement. Boundless put together a guide on what to do if your SEVIS is cancelled.

The PERM Takeaway: The talent pipeline starts with education. As international students face increased visa risks, employers should proactively engage graduating foreign talent early—through OPT and H-1B pathways—and explore PERM sponsorship options before systemic issues put these candidates out of reach.

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Trump Admin Can Enforce Immigrant Registration Rule The News:

 A federal judge ruled in favor of a Trump-era DHS policy requiring undocumented immigrants to register and carry official documents, or risk penalties. The ruling clears the way for implementation, with immigrant rights groups currently lacking legal standing to block the rule.

The PERM Takeaway: While this ruling targets undocumented individuals, the broader climate of enforcement can create confusion among lawful immigrants too. Clear internal communication and accessible legal resources for foreign hires are critical to maintaining workforce morale and trust.