May 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:
- Proposed immigration policy changes could impact international travel and visa processing
- H-1B visa applications dropped nearly 40% under new federal rules
- Ohio lawmakers advanced House Bill 763 to support internationally trained physicians
Massachusetts Advances Immigrant Protection Bill
- Massachusetts’ Senate advanced a bill that would put some restrictions on immigration enforcement in the state.
- Significant differences exist between the House and Senate versions, including a provision in the Senate bill creating a right of action in statute to sue on constitutional grounds, while the House bill has unique language limiting some of its provisions to courthouses
- Republican opposition in the state house have raised constitutionality related concerns, but they bill has passed nonetheless.
- https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/05/08/massachusetts-protect-act-senate-house-bills-differences-immigration
House Bill 763 Has First Hearing
- Representative Andrea White, a Dayton area Republican, provided sponsor testimony for Ohio House Bill 763 in a house hearing on May 20th.
- The bill, which Global Cleveland has worked on for over two years, would provide an alternative pathway for trained physicians who have been educated outside of the US.
- Representative White’s testimony emphasized the need for physicians in Ohio and the benefits to the state’s physician workforce by allowing an easier path for qualified foreign doctors, as well as the willingness of her to continue to refine the bill.
Bill to Ban Entry from 6 Countries introduced
- Republican Congressman Andy Ogles introduced the “Halt Immigration from Countries with Inadequate Verification Capabilities Act,” which would prohibit immigration from a set of countries with inadequate verification and identity management policies
- Targeted countries include North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Libya, and Iran.
- Provisions would bar the entry of any nationals from these countries and anyone who resided there in the past five years.
- The bill contains exceptions for those with US Citizenship
- https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Rep.+Andy+Ogles+Proposes+Legislation+to+Ban+Immigration+from+Certain+Muslim+Countries+Following+Texas+Shooting
Connecticut Moves to Limited Federal Immigration Actions
- Connecticut has become the latest state to move forward legislation to limit federal immigration actions, with SB 397 on its way to Governor Ned Lamont, who has promised to sign it
- The bill would create “protected areas” that would have limits on federal immigration enforcement. These areas include hospitals, schools, religious institutions, and certain government buildings.
- It would also restrict law enforcement officers from wearing masks on duty and implement new guidelines aimed at preventing federal officers found to be guilty of misconduct from being hired at the state level.
- https://ctmirror.org/2026/05/01/bill-limiting-federal-immigration-actions-gets-final-passage-in-ct-house/
DHS Considering Restricting International Flights to Sanctuary Cities
- Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security Secretary, has indicated that the department may reduce the processing of international passengers in airports located in cities that have ‘sanctuary’ policies reducing or limiting cooperation with federal law enforcement.
- This would have a major impact on international air travel; of the seven US airports with the most international arrivals – JFK, Miami, LAX, San Francisco, Newark, O’Hare, and Houston George Bush – five are in locations designated as a sanctuary jurisdiction by the Department of Justice
- Reportedly, travel executives have pushed back on the proposal, saying it could have a severe impact on an industry already under pressure from high fuel prices; critics contend that many alternative airports lack the facility to process international passengers
- https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/05/dhs-ice-sanctuary-cities-airports/687245/
USCIS Changes Adjustment of Status Provisions, Requiring Overseas Processing
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced changes to the adjustment of status process, by which most of those adjusting to a green card from a non immigration status, will need to leave the United States and apply overseas.
- A major change, this could add to the workload already being experienced at US embassies and consulates.
- A significant legal battle is expected, some of which centers around the lack of exemption for dual intent visas, which allow for a visa holder on a temporary or non immigrant status to live and work in the US while allowing them to pursue a more permanent status.
- https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/uscis-adjustment-status-discretionary-policy-2026/
H1B Applications Down 38%, Those With Master’s Degrees Favored
- New statistics have shown a marked change in the H1B lottery, reflecting new changes to the program rolled out by the Department of Homeland Security
- Total applications fell from 343,000 to just 211,000, a drop of 38.5%; the USCIS said that these changes reflected a shift in emphasis in the program towards “highly skilled foreign workers”, saying this would better protect the “wages, working conditions, and job opportunities” of US Citizens.
- The agency revamped its salary requirements as part of an effort to combat employers using the program to hire lower wage talent rather than highly skilled applicants; the lottery for fiscal year 2027 was the first for these new regulations.
- According to USCIS statistics, 71.5% of those approved for visas had a masters degree, compared to just 57% last year.
- https://www.newsweek.com/h1b-visa-applications-drop-uscis-2027-data-11980489
Texas’ SB4 Subject of New Lawsuit
- Texas’ controversial Senate Bill 4 is now the subject of a major lawsuit filed in federal court on civil rights grounds
- The law creates a new state level criminal charge for entering the U”nited States without authorization and allowing for a state led process to remove them from the United States if they are convicted
- The law was subject of a hold by federal courts, but this was lifeted in a federal appeals court.
- The Texas Civil Rights Project and the American Civil Liberties Union are leading the effort, which argues that under the Constitution, immigration enforcement is a federal, not state responsibility
- https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/04/texas-senate-bill-4-lawsuit/
Danish Ambassador Leads Cleveland Delegation
- Denmark’s Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen led a major delegation of diplomats, academics, and business leaders to Cleveland to build more ties between Ohio and Denmark; the Ambassador stated that there was potential for more bilateral trade, and that the visit deepened ties.
- Healthcare cooperation was a major part of the visit, with the Cleveland Clinic hospital hosting the delegation; the Clinic has extensive collaborations with Danish institutions, including those related to quantum computing and AI in healthcare
- The Ambassador also met with the Mayor of Cleveland, Justin Bibb, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and participated in events related to water infrastructure.
- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7460708208790274049/
