Alyssa Coyle - Global Cleveland

July 2026 Newcomer Policy Update

July 2026 Newcomer Policy Update

Want to keep up with newcomer policy updates in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our newcomer policy update so that you can stay informed about the latest news.

This month’s Newcomer Policy Update at a glance:

Efforts in Congress underway to extend TPS for Haitians
Birthright citizenship upheld
Ohio named top state for business in the US

Efforts in Congress underway to extend TPS for Haitians

A bipartisan effort has sought to extend – or redesignate – temporary protected status for Haitian nationals.
The effort, which passed the House in June, has seen mostly democratic support but also some from the GOP, including from the Congress members representing South Florida.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Miami-area Republican, said that the situation in Haiti remained too dangerous.
Efforts in the Senate were opposed by Senator Eric Schmitt, who argued that the program was created for emergencies, but was being abused to use as a permanent pathway.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/court-order-pushes-back-haiti-tps-expiration-to-monday-rep-gimenez-says-he-supports-extension/3837806/

ICE surges at airports

The New York Times has reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up enforcement at airports, including a broader scope of cases.
ICE’s airport enforcement now includes those with expired visas, according to the article, a much larger group than was subject to this kind of enforcement before.
Some individuals with expired visas are in something of a gray area, and historically were low priorities for deportation if they had not committed crimes.
ICE is reportedly working with TSA on the enforcement actions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/us/ice-arrests-airports-visa-overstay.html

ICE reportedly planning deportation options after Haiti ruling

Following the July Supreme Court case that allowed for the revocation of temporary protected status for Haitian nationals, ICE is reportedly planning major operations to detain Haitians in the US without legal status.
Reports indicated that the city of Springfield, Ohio will be a major target after the city’s Haitian community was the subject of widespread media coverage over the past two years.
An official in Haiti told media that the Caribbean nation was expecting weekly deportation flights of about 250 people on each.
https://time.com/article/2026/07/27/haitian-immigrants-ice-operations-temporary-protected-status/

Administration ramps up civil fines for immigrants

The Trump administration has increased its use of civil fines to encourage undocumented immigrants to leave the country.
The Department of Homeland Security sent 100,000 people letters saying that they owed money, nearly $1,000 per each day they have stayed in the US after losing a case in court.
While the legal right exists to implement these fees, they have not been widely used until the current term.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/us/immigration-civil-fines-self-deportation.html

Supreme Court allows TPS to end for Haitians

In a closely watched decision, the Supreme Court permitted temporary protected statues for Haitian and Syrian nationals to be revoked by the administration.
TPS was originally issued for Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, while Syria was named to the TPS list following the outbreak of a civil war there a year later.
The Supreme Court’s ruling stated that the termination of the status was not able to be overturned via judicial review.

Birthright citizenship upheld

The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s 2025 executive order ending birthright citizenship was unconstitutional, a major ruling in one of the most controversial issues of the past year and a half.
Ruling that the order violated the 14th amendment, it restores the previous policy that had been the law in the US wherein those born in the US would be US citizens, regardless of their parents citizenship, with only a few narrow exceptions for people who’s parents were not subject to US law.
The administration had tried to restrict birthright citizenship by making the children of those in the US without legal status as well as the children of parents on some non immigrant visas ineligible.

Labor shortages feared after immigration decision

The curtailing of TPS has raised concerns that it could lead to widespread labor shortages.
About 70% of TPS recipients are in the labor force, and are often represented in healthcare and construction, two industries that have experienced workforce shortages in recent years.
An estimated 350,000 people lost status this month, with another 190,000 facing the loss in September.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/26/us/trump-tps-labor-shortage.html

Ohio named top state for business in the US

Ohio received the honor of being named the #1 State for business in the United States by CNBC.
The State received high marks in the ranking for its infrastructure and cost of doing business (in both of which it ranked #1 in the country) as well as in innovation, its economy, cost of living, and access to capitol.
The report noted that the state could still improve its ranking by improving workforce programs and investing more in education, but touted the state’s many years of consistent improvement that resulted in its #1 ranking.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html

University of Pennsylvania report on impact of TPS recipients

A major new report form the University of Pennsylvania provided key insights into the economic impact of recipients of temporary protected status.
The study found that the states with the largest populations of TPS holders included Florida, Texas, and New York.
TPS holders, both men and women, have a higher workforce participation rate than the US born population, as well as a higher rate than immigrants here on other visas. Both men and women TPS holders had this higher rate.
About 0.82% of Ohio’s foreign born labor force was on TPS.
https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/p/2025-11-19-550-000-workers-lose-status-by-end-of-2025/

Explore Previous Newcomer Policy Updates

by Alyssa Coyle

June 2026 Newcomer Policy Update

June 2026 Newcomer Policy Update

Want to keep up with newcomer policy updates in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our newcomer policy update so that you can stay informed about the latest news.

This month’s Newcomer Policy Update at a glance:

Secure America Act signed
State Department to pilot new program for faster visa interviews
SCOTUS sides with the government in Blanche v. Lau case

Secure America Act signed

President Trump signed the Secure America Act, which provided additional funding for immigration enforcement and border security.
The bill, which had a contentious six month long debate in Congress, was passed in a narrow, party line vote.
The bill provided a $70 billion increase in border security and enforcement funding, primarily going to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-trump-signs-the-70-billion-secure-america-act-for-immigration-enforcement

North Carolina legislator overrides veto on ICE bill

North Carolina’s Senate Bill 153 will become law, after lawmakers overrode a veto by Governor Josh Stein.
The bill would require state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
It also placed restrictions on the use of public benefits by undocumented immigrants.
https://www.wfae.org/race-equity/2026-06-24/nc-bill-expanding-ice-cooperation-and-restricting-benefits-to-become-law

USCIS to increase naturalization fees

The US Citizenship and Naturalization Services announced an increase in fees for naturalization forums.
The forms, including both the paper and online N-400 and the N-336 all increased from around $700 to over $1,200.
Many, but not all, exemptions and fee waivers for both were eliminated
The rule has been proposed, and has not yet been implemented. It is currently open for public comment.
https://www.boundless.com/blog/uscis-proposes-higher-fees-for-u-s-citizenship-applications

State Department to pilot new program for faster visa interviews

In a bid to speed up urgent visa processing for tourists and business travelers, the State Department unveiled a pilot program to allow for faster visa appointments.
The new option would cost $750 and would expedite appointments for interviews
The visas affected are the B1 and the B2, used for tourism and business travel.
The US Government cited lengthy wait times at many embassies as justification for the change.
Applicants who are facing emergencies or other extenuating circumstances can still request expediated appointments without any additional fees.
https://www.boundless.com/blog/u-s-to-test-750-fee-for-faster-tourist-visa-interviews

Canada sees major drop in immigration

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a significant reduction in immigration to the country, reflecting a more restrictive immigration policy in the country
Canada saw a 60% drop in international student arrivals, a 1/3 drop in asylum claims, and a 50% drop in temporary worker arrivals.
Canada’s government has ruled out a series of changes imposing tighter requirements on international workers and students, ranging from increased financial requirements and more restrictive policies on work permits
Indian students saw an especially large drop, from about half of international students in the country to less than 10%
https://www.firstpost.com/world/canada-records-60-drop-in-international-student-arrivals-carney-says-taken-back-control-of-immigration-14026366.html

SCOTUS sides with the government in Blanche v. Lau case

The Supreme Court ruled that the government has broad powers to deny entry to the US by legal permanent residents, or green card holders.
The case concerned a legal permanent resident and a Chinese citizen who had been convicted of a crime who was prevented from reentry.
The majority opinion, authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, said that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) did not impose a “clear and convincing evidence burden” on border patrol officers in these cases.
https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/06/court-sides-with-government-in-dispute-over-rights-of-green-card-holders-accused-of-committing-a/

Supreme Court rules of asylum seeker case

In a widely watched case, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can turn back asylum seekers prior to entering the United States.
The court ruled in a 6-3 decision that while federal law permits immigrant already in the United States to apply for asylum, this provision does not cover prospective asylees who have arrived at, but not crossed, the border
An additional aspect of the ruling involved the Refugee Act of 1980 as well as the US’ obligation under several international treaties; the majority opinion found that these provisions forbid the returning of refugees to their country of origin where they would be in danger, it did not require the US to admit someone who was not already in the United States.
Justice Alito wrote the majority opinion, while Justice Sotomayor wrote the dissenting one.
https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/06/justices-side-with-trump-administration-in-border-dispute-over-asylum-seekers/

ICE cannot make courthouse arrests

A federal judge in California issued an order stopping ICE agents nationwide from conducting arrests inside immigration courts.
Saying that the practice, among other things, disincentivized immigrants from attending hearings, Judge Casey Pitts ruled in the class action case in favor of the plaintiffs.
A blanket waiver from last year allowing for extended detention of ICE detainees was also blocked.
The case is expected to be challenged
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/us/ice-arrests-immigration-courts-california.html?unlocked_article_code=1.slA.3FAy.UP1f_ExSZ4m6&smid=nytcore-ios-share

$100k visa fee halted in federal court

The controversial $100,000 fee for H-1B applicants was struck down in federal court, a major ruling in a case that saw 20 states sue the federal government.
The new fees were rolled out last year in an attempt to prevent American workers from being undermined by the program.
Notably, the government had not seen many people pay the fee, as applicants who were transferring from another visa were exempt.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-know-about-trumps-100000-h-1b-visa-fee-and-the-legal-rebuke-that-followed

SCOTUS okays administration rulings on TPS

A June 2026 Supreme Court ruling allowed for the Trump administration to cancel Temporary Protected Status for nationals of Syria and Haiti
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was created by congress, but the designation of countries who’s citizens are protected lies with the executive branch.
The 6-3 ruling allows for the administration to remove protections for two countries, Haiti and Syria, who were designated by previous administrations and who’s status was revoked by the Department of Homeland Security.
In the majority opinion, Justice Alito wrote that federal judges who ruled against the administration overstepped their authority, and constitutionally were unable to review the designation of specific countries.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-allows-trump-remove-protections-thousands-haitian-syrian-rcna263164

Explore Previous Newcomer Policy Updates

by Alyssa Coyle