December 2025 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 Update at a glance:
- Administration Announces Review of Biden Era Refugees
- International Student Enrollment Declines Nationwide
- Bill Introduced to Ease Pathway for Immigrants Working at VA
Foreign Tourists to Pay More at National Parks
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The Department of the Interior unveiled a new pass to visit all National Parks Service sites, with a two tiered pricing system that is more expensive for foreign visitors. Non-residents will pay $250, while US residents will pay $80.
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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited that US taxpayers are already paying to fund the parks service
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Several of the most popular sites will also be the subject to a $100 fee for foreign visitors
Major Tech Firms Lead in H-1Bs
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New data shows that Us tech firms are dominating the H-1B lists, with Amazon.com, Facebook, Microsoft, Google, and Apple among the largest
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There has been a notable decline in India-based companies among the top firms, with only three of the top twenty-five H-1B sponsors being from India.
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The list is dominated by technology companies, but some financial firms also are prominent, with Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Ernest and Young featuring
Administration Announces Review of Biden Era Refugees
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The Trump administration announced it would review the applications and statuses of refugees admitted under President Joe Biden’s administration, citing concerns of insufficient screening and vetting
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In a memo from the director of USCIS, the reviews will focus on whether the individuals met the legal definition of a refugee when they entered the United States as well as whether there are any barriers that would make them ineligible for a green card
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The memo also called for a indefinite hold on all green card approvals for refugees who entered during the Biden years.
International Student Enrollment Declines Nationwide
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A report from the Institute of International Education said the number of international students on American campuses declined about 1%, but a 7% decline in new international students and a 12% decline in new graduate student enrollment
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The Trump administration has sought to curb international enrollment and has considered advocating for a cap of international enrollment at 15% of the student body, though the administration has also at times stressed the importance of international student enrollment
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57% of institutions that provided data reported that new enrollments from abroad decreased in 2025.
$1,000 parole fee takes affect
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As specified in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed earlier this year, the new $1,000 fee for those granted parole goes into affect this fall
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Significant numbers of immigrants are exempt from the fee including those with a pending adjustment of status application
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Considerable confusion has arisen from the letters announcing the change, which are sometimes sent to those who are not affected by it
Legislation to freeze all immigration introduced
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New legislation that would temporarily pause all immigration to the United States was introduced by Texas Congressman Chip Roy and a group of Republican co-sponsors.
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The pause would be lifted when a series of changes would be codified into law, changes specified include allowance of more restrictions on undocumented immigrants attending public schools, the ending of the diversity visa program, restrictions on means-tested federal programs, and the abolition of OPT.
Bill Introduced to Ease Pathway for Immigrants Working at VA
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In an effort to expand healthcare for America’s Veterans, four members of congress introduced legislation to eliminate barriers facing immigrants working at the Veterans Administration
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The Expanding Healthcare Providers for Veterans Act was introduced earlier this month by Representative Rashida Tliab, a Michigan Democrat, and currently has three cosponsors.
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The bill would remove the caps on visas for immigrants with jobs at the VA as well as exempt them from the restrictions introduced by executive order in September.
Bill Introduced on Immigration Document Delivery
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Texas Republican Keith Self introduced the Immigration Document Delivery Accountability Act aiming to have more accountability and transparency around the mailing of documents related to immigration
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The bill requires the postal service introduce a ‘trackable accountability measure’ to ensure timely delivery of the documents.
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It currently does not have any cosponsors, and was referred to the Oversight Committee.
Courts: Immigrants May Be Eligible for Bond Hearings
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Federal Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes issued a certification striking down a Department of Homeland Security that required most immigrants who entered the US illegally to remain detained by immigration authorities throughout deportation proceedings
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The ruling could allow those subject to mandatory detention to be released on bond
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The policy was instituted in July, and has been the subject of legal action since it was announced.
