Oakton Health Center

1. October 2025 Visa Bulletin Released: The U.S. Department of State has issued the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, detailing the green card process for those in the process of applying for employment-based or family-based immigration. The bulletin offers guidance on two main scenarios – if your priority date has become current under the Dates for Filing chart and you can submit your I-485, or if your I-485 is pending due to your priority date becoming current under the Final Action Dates chart. The bulletin also explains key aspects such as medical exams, birth certificates, Supplement J, transfer of underlying basis, delay litigation, and a family-focused strategy that could aid some applicants.

2. USCRI Highlights Risks of Reported USCIS Refugee Reinterview Plan: The United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) has raised concerns about the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) review and potential reinterview of more than 200,000 refugees admitted to the U.S. between January 2021 and February 2025. The organization warns that this unprecedented move could result in extended delays in granting permanent resident status and has called on the Biden administration to revert to the original policy.

3. USCIS Updates Policy on Assessing Good Moral Character in Adjudication of Naturalization Applications: USCIS has issued a policy memorandum changing the way it assesses the “good moral character” of naturalization applications. In addition to reviewing applicants’ criminal records, the agency will also conduct a “holistic assessment” of their behavior, adherence to societal norms, and contributions to society. This revised approach increases the subjectivity of the process and may lead to inconsistent adjudications.

4. Visa Processing Resumes for Harvard International Students: Following a court order, the U.S. State Department has resumed visa processing for Harvard University students and exchange visitors. This overturns a previous directive that denied such applications based on national security concerns.

5. DHS Offers Fine Forgiveness for Self-Deportation via CBP App: As of June 9, 2025, the DHS announced that undocumented individuals who self-deport using the CBP One Home App will have civil fines for failing to depart waived. These fines can otherwise total nearly $1,000 per day after a final removal order or apply to late voluntary departures. DHS has issued over 9,000 fine notices totaling nearly $3 billion and has streamlined the app to make the self-deportation process more accessible.

6. USCIS Updates Validity of Medical Exams for Green Card Applications: Effective June 11, 2025, the USCIS clarified that any Form I-693 (Medical Exam) signed on or after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the associated I-485 application remains pending. If the application is withdrawn or denied, the I-693 will no longer be valid. USCIS may also request a medical exam at its discretion if public health concerns arise.

7. July 2025 Visa Bulletin Released: The U.S. Department of State released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, announcing the guidelines that USCIS will use for family-based categories and employment-based naturalization cases. It highlighted that F2A (spouses/children of LPRs) had advanced, while EB-1 remains current for most countries, and EB-2 and EB-3 saw limited progress.

8. ICE Raids Paused In Key Industries After Trump Statement: Following President Trump’s remarks urging protection of long-term workers in the agriculture, hospitality, and restaurant sectors, the DHS announced that it had paused ICE worksite raids in these industries. However, ICE later stated that it would continue its enforcement work, focusing on employers that employ undocumented individuals, particularly those with criminal records.

9. State Department Expands Social Media Screening for Student Visa Applicants: Effective immediately, consular officers will scrutinize the online presence of all new and returning student visa applicants. This includes examining social media, online databases, and potentially screening and documenting content. Any detected hostile sentiments, political activism, or support for foreign terrorist organizations could lead to additional scrutiny of the applicant.

The Trump administration made changes to the green card application process, effective immediately, requiring a renewed medical examination form with every new permanent residency application, arguing that the previous policy allowing use of forms indefinitely could threaten public health. This change directly affects immigrants applying for adjustment of status.

The policy applies to I-693, “Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record”, which is completed by an immigrant applying for adjustment of status or to become a permanent resident. Until June 10, there was no expiration on this form, but following the new policy, if an application is withdrawn, the form is invalidated and a new one, including another medical exam, must be obtained.

The move potentially affects thousands of Form I-485 applicants, may double the cost – which can range from $100 to $500 – for immigrants, and increases the scrutiny for both temporary and permanent visas. The move follows other immediate changes made in March that caused widespread confusion and led to lawsuits.

The Trump administration purportedly aims to crack down on violations of immigration laws and this includes taking a harder stance on immigration enforcements such as revoking green cards of those deemed to have broken immigration or other laws. Many believe that despite the administration’s claims of ensuring public health, the changes aim to make every contact with the immigration system more difficult for immigrants.

A new version of the form will be effective on July 3, 2025. The federal government insists that green cards do not amount to citizenship and can be revoked on grounds of national security, immigration law violations or criminal convictions.