A round-up of the important immigration updates you need to know from your friends at AgoraVisa.
Trump administration mulls new travel ban that could hit 43 nations: Report.
According to reports from The New York Times and others, United States President Donald Trump‘s administration is mulling a new travel ban expected to affect citizens from dozens of countries to varying degrees, The New York Times reported. Quoting anonymous officials, the report published on Friday said the US government’s draft list featured 43 countries, divided into three categories of travel restrictions. See the complete list of countries here.
April 2025 Visa Bulletin Released: Key Updates for Green Card Applicants
The U.S. Department of State released its April 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing essential updates on green card wait times for family-sponsored and employment-based categories. These updates determine when green card applicants can move forward in their process, making the bulletin a critical resource for those awaiting permanent residency. Read the Visa Bulletin.
Key Updates in the April 2025 Visa Bulletin:
Family-Based Visas:
- Mexico’s F-1 and F-2B categories moved forward by six months, offering significant relief for those waiting in these categories.
- The F-2A category, which applies to spouses and minor children of green card holders, advanced by three months globally, helping more families reunite sooner.
Employment-Based Visas:
- EB-5 (Investor Visa) Retrogression: Due to exceptionally high demand, China’s Final Action Date moved back by 2 years, 8 months, and India’s retrogressed by nearly 2.5 years.
- EB-2 & EB-3 for China saw significant movement, with notable advancements in priority dates.
- EB-3 Other Workers visa (all areas of chargability) also saw a significant movement in priority dates.
- EB-4 visas (Special Immigrant category) have hit their annual cap, meaning no new approvals will be processed until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2025.
What This Means for You:
If you’re in the EB-5 category, expect longer delays due to visa backlogs. If you are applying through EB-2 or EB-3, especially from China, you may be able to move forward in the process sooner. Those in Mexico with F-1 and F-2B petitions for family-based categories should check their updated priority dates.
Read the full April Visa Bulletin here.
Trump Appeals to Supreme Court to Reinstate Birthright Citizenship Ban
In a high-stakes legal battle, former President Donald Trump has formally asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s injunction that blocked his executive order ending birthright citizenship. This order, signed on his first day back in office, seeks to deny U.S. citizenship to children born in the U.S. unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Why This Matters:
- Three federal courts previously ruled against the order, stating it violates the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship.
- Trump’s legal team argues that the Constitution does not explicitly grant automatic citizenship and that Congress should define who qualifies.
- If the Supreme Court lifts the injunction, it could open the door for thousands of children to be stripped of their U.S. citizenship, sparking legal battles and uncertainty for families.
Legal experts warn that overturning these injunctions could lead to a flood of individual lawsuits as impacted families challenge the ruling in courts nationwide. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected later this year and could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. immigration law.
U.S. to Enforce 30-Day Registration Rule for Canadians
A long-overlooked U.S. immigration rule affecting Canadian visitors is set to be enforced starting April 11, 2025. Under this policy, Canadians staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days will be required to register with USCIS and undergo fingerprinting.
Who Is Affected?
- Canadian snowbirds, retirees who spend extended winters in the U.S
- Business travelers who stay beyond the 30-day limit.
- Visitors staying with family members for an extended period.
Who’s Exempt?
- Canadian Green card holders and those with valid work or student visas will not be impacted.
What Happens If You Don’t Register?
- The exact penalties remain unclear, but failure to comply could lead to fines, entry bans, or future visa restrictions.
- The rule is part of broader U.S. immigration enforcement efforts amid increasing trade and border security tensions with Canada.
Canadian travelers should check USCIS updates before their trips.
USCIS Announces New 2025 Green Card Sponsor Income Requirements
If you plan to sponsor a family member’s green card, be aware that USCIS has raised the minimum income requirements for 2025. These income thresholds ensure sponsors can financially support the intending immigrant without relying on public benefits.
New Sponsor Income Requirements for 2025:
- Most U.S. citizen sponsors must earn at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Active-duty military sponsors have a lower requirement at 100% of the poverty guidelines.
For a household of four:
- $40,187 minimum annual income (regular sponsors).
- $32,150 minimum annual income (military sponsors).
Why It Matters:
Before filing a Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), meet the new financial requirements. Failure to do so could result in visa denial or the need for a joint sponsor.
Check the USCIS full 2025 income guidelines before submitting your sponsorship application.
EB-4 Special Immigrant Visas Reach Annual Cap for 2025
The State Department has announced that the EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) category has reached its annual cap, meaning no more approvals will be processed until October 1, 2025, when the new fiscal year begins.
What This Means for Applicants:
- If you are waiting for an EB-4 visa, your case will remain in limbo until the cap resets.
- New applications can still be submitted, but processing will not begin until FY 2026.
- Last year, the cap was reached in August, but this year it has been hit even earlier, signaling higher demand for EB-4 visas.
If you are impacted, consult your attorney for alternative options.
