What You Missed in Immigration: Firewalls, Fee Fights, and 75 Flags

Milow LeBlanc
Feb 16
5 min read

U.S. Immigration News

Minneapolis Immigration Surge Winds Down After Fatal Shootings

The Trump administration announced it will wind down "Operation Metro Surge" in Minneapolis, weeks after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens during enforcement actions. Border czar Tom Homan confirmed a "significant drawdown" of personnel, though routine immigration enforcement will continue in the area. DHS reported more than 4,000 arrests during the operation but did not specify how many involved criminal charges.

The PERM Takeaway: High-profile enforcement operations create ripple effects beyond their immediate targets. Foreign national employees, even those with valid work authorization can feel unsettled when aggressive enforcement dominates headlines. Employers should proactively communicate with sponsored workers, reaffirm their commitment to the process, and ensure PERM-related documentation is current and accessible. A stable, well-managed sponsorship process builds confidence on both sides.

Visa Services Tracker: Country-by-Country Updates for February 2026

Most U.S. embassies and consulates have resumed routine visa services post-pandemic, but availability still varies significantly by country. Adding complexity, a presidential proclamation effective January 1, 2026, suspends new visa issuance for certain nationalities and partially restricts others. Some posts remain closed for security reasons, while others have shifted immigrant visa processing to third countries. Boundless has updated its country-by-country tracker with the latest appointment, suspension, and processing details worldwide.

The PERM Takeaway: Consular processing delays and country-specific restrictions can throw off even the best-laid PERM timelines. Employers sponsoring workers from affected countries should build extra lead time into their hiring plans and stay current on which posts are operational. If your candidate's home country consulate is closed or restricted, knowing the alternative processing location early can save months of frustration.

H-1B Employers on Notice: Project Firewall Ramps Up Inspections

Federal agencies are intensifying scrutiny of H-1B employers through Project Firewall. Expect more random and unannounced site visits designed to verify compliance with approved petitions and Labor Condition Applications including job duties, salary, and work location. Discrepancies found during inspections can lead to serious penalties.

The PERM Takeaway: If your H-1B house isn't in order, your PERM process is at risk too. The job duties, wages, and work locations documented in your PERM filings need to align with what's on the ground. Employers should conduct internal audits now before an inspector shows up, and make sure LCA postings, public access files, and actual working conditions all match what's on paper. Consistency across your H-1B and PERM filings isn't just best practice, it's your best defense.

100 Lawmakers Push to Exempt Health Care From $100K H-1B Fee

A bipartisan group of 100 lawmakers is urging DHS to exempt the health care sector from the new $100,000 fee on employers filing new H-1B petitions. Their letter warns the fee could deepen staffing shortages, noting that nearly 87 million Americans live in federally designated shortage areas and physician shortfalls could reach 86,000 within a decade. DHS has the authority to grant sector-wide exemptions but hasn't signaled whether it will act.

The PERM Takeaway: Whether or not health care gets an exemption, the $100K fee makes the PERM pathway even more strategically important for employers across industries. If the cost of H-1B sponsorship is climbing, investing in PERM recruitment early, and building toward permanent residency becomes a smarter long-term play. For health care employers especially, a well-timed PERM filing could be the difference between retaining a critical provider and losing them to fee-driven uncertainty.

Lawmakers Grill Immigration Officials Over Minneapolis Shootings

Senior immigration officials appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee for the first time since the fatal Minneapolis shootings. Lawmakers from both parties pressed on agent training, the use of roving patrols in cities, and the limited deployment of body cameras. Democrats pushed for stronger oversight, while some Republicans raised transparency concerns even as they supported broader enforcement all with DHS funding set to expire this week.

The PERM Takeaway: Congressional scrutiny of enforcement tactics could reshape how immigration agencies operate, and where their resources go. If oversight leads to enforcement policy changes or funding disruptions, processing times for employment-based filings, including PERM, could feel the downstream effects. Employers should keep an eye on DHS appropriations and be prepared for potential delays if agency resources get redirected.

Federal Judge Orders Overhaul of California ICE Detention Facility

A federal judge ordered DHS and ICE to improve conditions at the California City immigration detention center after a lawsuit filed by seven detainees. The order mandates adequate medical staffing, timely medication access, attorney access, weather-appropriate clothing, and daily outdoor time, along with an independent monitor to conduct inspections and review records.

The PERM Takeaway: While detention facility conditions may seem far removed from employer-sponsored immigration, they reflect the broader enforcement climate. Heightened legal scrutiny of immigration operations can lead to systemic changes that affect processing capacity and agency priorities. Employers navigating PERM should stay aware of the bigger picture when enforcement resources shift, adjudication timelines often shift with them.

Global News

Immigrant Visa Suspension Now in Effect for 75 Countries

An indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries is now in effect following a January 14 State Department announcement. The suspension applies to immigrant visas issued abroad, including employment- and family-based green cards. Nonimmigrant visas tourist, student, and business are not affected.

The PERM Takeaway: This is a big one. If your PERM beneficiary is a national of one of the 75 affected countries, the final step of the green card process consular interview and visa issuance is effectively frozen. Employers should immediately assess whether sponsored workers are impacted and explore whether adjustment of status (filing from within the U.S.) is a viable alternative. For new PERM cases, factor this suspension into your timeline and candidate strategy from day one.

U.K. Tops the World in Immigration Concern — U.S. Not Even Close

A new Gallup report finds the United Kingdom leads the world in naming immigration as its top national problem, with 21% of Britons citing it as their No. 1 concern. Globally, the median is just 1%. Despite having a similar foreign-born population share (~15%), Americans are far less likely to rank immigration as their top issue.

The PERM Takeaway: Public perception matters because it drives policy. While immigration anxiety is running high in the U.K. and parts of Europe, the data suggests the American public is more measured which could create space for employer-friendly immigration reform. For PERM employers, this is a reminder that the political environment, while noisy, may be more favorable than the headlines suggest. Stay the course on workforce planning.

Mexico Reinstates E-Visa for Brazilian Travelers

Mexico has reinstated its electronic visa system for Brazilian nationals traveling by air for tourism or business, reversing a 2022 policy that required consular visitor visas. Eligible travelers can now apply through Mexico's online SAE platform and receive digital authorization without visiting a consulate.

The PERM Takeaway: While this is a Mexico-Brazil development, it's a useful reminder that visa policies are always in motion globally. Employers with multinational operations or workers who travel internationally should stay current on entry requirements an expired or incorrect visa can disrupt travel, delay projects, and complicate an employee's broader immigration timeline, including PERM processing.

Stay informed. Stay compliant. Start your PERM recruitment early.