What You Missed in Immigration: Fees, Firsts, and Federal Pushback

Milow LeBlanc
Nov 10
3 min read

Your weekly roundup of the biggest, need-to-know immigration news you missed

💰 New $1,000 Immigration Parole Fee Now in Effect

The Department of Homeland Security has officially launched a $1,000 parole fee, effective October 16, 2025, applying to individuals granted parole into or within the United States. That includes humanitarian parole, parole in place, re-parole, and parole from DHS custody. Applicants with a pending green card (adjustment of status) are exempt, and some humanitarian cases may qualify for waivers. The fee is charged after parole approval not at filing.

The PERM Takeaway: While this fee primarily impacts humanitarian and discretionary parole cases, it signals a broader cost-recovery trend at DHS. For employers, it’s a reminder that processing fees across visa categories could continue to rise as agencies shift financial burdens away from taxpayers. In a climate of higher filing costs, PERM remains one of the most cost-predictable pathways for long-term workforce sponsorship.

🚫 Trump Slashes Refugee Admissions to Record Low 7,500

The Trump administration’s proposed refugee cap for FY 2026 drops admissions to a record-low 7,500, compared with the previous 125,000 under the Biden administration. The policy favors “victims of illegal or unjust discrimination,” including certain South African applicants, though specifics remain unclear. Critics argue the move undermines America’s humanitarian commitments and global image.

The PERM Takeaway: A shrinking refugee ceiling doesn’t just close doors for asylum seekers it tightens the overall pipeline of lawful entrants who often transition into employment-based channels. Employers in industries already facing labor shortages should expect increased competition for available talent, heightening the importance of early, compliant PERM recruitment strategies.

🏙️ Zohran Mamdani’s Historic Win as NYC’s First South Asian Mayor

In a milestone for representation, Zohran Mamdani has been elected as New York City’s first South Asian, Muslim, and naturalized immigrant mayor and the youngest in more than a century. Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani’s campaign celebrated New York’s immigrant heritage, resonating across global communities and progressive networks.

The PERM Takeaway: Mamdani’s victory embodies the economic and civic impact of immigration done right. When immigrants thrive, cities thrive. Employers can draw inspiration and talent from these success stories, using their PERM programs to mirror that same vision of inclusion, opportunity, and long-term growth within their organizations.

⚠️ U.S. Ends Deportation Protection for South Sudanese Nationals

USCIS has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan, ending legal residency and work authorization for roughly 230 nationals. The agency cited improved country conditions that no longer meet TPS criteria, giving affected individuals 60 days to depart or risk deportation. Human rights groups warn of unsafe conditions and potential humanitarian fallout.

The PERM Takeaway: TPS decisions like this create urgent casework for employers who may have long-time employees suddenly facing status loss. Now is the time for HR and legal teams to audit immigration records, identify impacted workers, and explore PERM or adjustment-based sponsorships as lawful alternatives before deadlines close in.

⚖️ Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Linking Transit Funds to Immigration

A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the administration cannot withhold transportation funding from states that decline to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Judge John McConnell deemed the Department of Transportation’s attempt to link infrastructure money to immigration policy “lawless” and an overreach of executive authority.

The PERM Takeaway: The ruling reinforces the balance of federal and state power and signals that immigration policy, even under strong-arm tactics, faces judicial checks. For employers, this means continued regional variation in enforcement intensity, underscoring the importance of consistent national compliance standards when running PERM recruitment or visa programs across multiple states.

✅ Final Thoughts: From fee hikes to historic firsts, this week’s developments reveal how deeply immigration policy touches every corner of civic and economic life. For employers navigating labor certification, staying informed isn’t optional it’s a strategic advantage.