Last Week’s Highlights in Immigration: Travel Bans, Raids & Retweets

Trump Administration Eyes Major Expansion of Travel Ban

The Trump administration is preparing to more than double the number of countries on its travel ban list—targeting up to 36 nations. Countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Cambodia face restrictions if they don’t improve security vetting and visa overstay rates by August. This move, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is positioned as a national security measure but could severely restrict talent pipelines.

The PERM Takeaway: Talent pipelines could narrow dramatically depending on the final list. Employers relying on foreign talent from Africa and Southeast Asia should diversify recruitment strategies and act swiftly while channels remain open.

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Trump’s Shifting Language on Immigration Raids Creates Confusion for Employers

After signaling a pause on immigration raids in key industries, the Trump administration reversed course and has resumed ICE activity with renewed intensity. Industries like hospitality and agriculture are feeling the whiplash as policy direction changes weekly. The lack of clear exemptions has made it difficult for businesses to prepare, raising risks across sectors.

The PERM Takeaway: If you're hiring foreign workers, now is the time to tighten compliance. Keep I-9 documentation in order and avoid missteps that could draw unnecessary scrutiny from federal enforcement.

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New U.S. Visa Rule Requires Foreign Students to Share Social Media

All foreign students applying for U.S. study visas must now provide public access to their social media profiles. Officers will review posts for signs of political extremism or antisemitic views. Critics argue this policy infringes on free speech and could discourage top international talent from applying—particularly those from conflict regions.

The PERM Takeaway: This may slow down the future talent pipeline, especially from top-tier academic programs. Employers should build relationships earlier with student visa holders to secure their talent before new barriers arise.

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Americans Divided on Trump Immigration Policies, Pew Survey Finds

According to Pew, the public is deeply split on Trump-era immigration moves. While most oppose the suspension of asylum and aggressive ICE activity, nearly two-thirds support legal pathways for undocumented workers. Business leaders take note: there's still broad bipartisan backing for work-based immigration solutions.

The PERM Takeaway: While public sentiment is mixed, support remains strong for employment-based immigration. This reinforces the long-term value of the PERM program as a stable, lawful path to workforce expansion.

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Trump Orders ICE to Expand Deportations in Democratic Cities

A sweeping new ICE directive mandates 3,000 daily arrests in cities like LA, NYC, and Chicago. Protests have erupted, and data shows that most arrests involve individuals without serious criminal records. For businesses in these regions, this creates uncertainty and fear among employees—documented and undocumented alike.

The PERM Takeaway: Now more than ever, compliance is your shield. Demonstrating that your recruitment and sponsorship practices follow DOL and DHS standards is essential to protecting your operations and your people.