1. Public Charge Rule – MOIA: The federal administration proposed changes to the “public charge” on November 19, 2025, that would make it more difficult for someone to get a green card or certain other immigration statuses if immigration officials believe an applicant isn’t or won’t be “self-sufficient.” The changes are still only proposed and have not yet taken effect. They would apply to those who currently receive or may receive public benefits in the future, such as cash assistance, Medicaid, food assistance, housing assistance, but would not apply to all immigrants, with exceptions made for refugees, asylees, and visa recipients for victims of crimes, among others.
2. Priority Date Becoming Current for I-485 Applicants: The April 2026 Visa Bulletin brought movement in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, making many long-pending adjustment of status (I-485) applications current again. However, becoming current does not necessarily mean immediate approval. It is suggested to consider obtaining a new medical exam, filing the I-485 Supplement J if the applicant has changed employers, and if the case remains pending despite becoming current, consider stronger action.
3. USCRI Highlights Risks of Reported USCIS Refugee Reinterview Plan: USCRI is concerned about the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) potential reinterview of over 200,000 refugees admitted to the U.S. between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, as well as a halt in processing their applications for permanent residence. The USCRI calls on the administration to reverse this policy, arguing that it threatens the successful integration of refugees and can retraumatize people who have already survived violence.
4. Afghans legally in U.S. worry about their future amid Trump immigration crackdown: Following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national, the Trump administration has taken steps to crack down on legal immigration from Afghanistan. Measures include halting all asylum decisions for applicants from 19 countries deemed “high risk”, including Afghanistan, reexamining all green cards granted to people from these countries, and pausing visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. This has drawn criticism from Afghans and immigration advocates who believe the measures are unnecessarily punitive and lack nuance.
5. USCIS Updates Policy on Assessing Good Moral Character in Adjudication of Naturalization Applications: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) new policy for naturalization applications involves an assessment of “good moral character.” In addition to assessing criminal records, the evaluation will include a broader assessment of an applicant’s behaviour, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions. Positive factors considered will include community involvement and educational attainment, whilst negative behaviours such as controlled substance violations and false claims to citizenship could make applicants ineligible.
