February 2026 saw a number of policy announcements and legal developments that may shape the future of U.S. immigration. These updates include new proposals affecting asylum seekers’ work authorization, the termination of certain humanitarian protections, and court challenges related to visa restrictions. This roundup highlights the most important immigration news from the month and explains why it matters.
U.S. State Department Sued Over Visa Freeze Affecting Immigrants From Over 75 Countries
A group of civil rights organisations and individuals directly affected by the policy has taken the U.S. Department of State to court over its decision to suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in New York, argues that the policy blocks legal immigration for people from dozens of nations — including Afghanistan, Somalia, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Russia, and Cambodia — and goes against established immigration laws that require each applicant to be assessed individually. The suspension reportedly took effect on January 21 and was introduced under the Trump administration as part of an effort to reduce immigration from countries whose migrants are claimed to rely heavily on government benefits.
Critics of the policy say it has no legal basis in U.S. immigration law, which has never treated someone as ineligible simply because they receive or might receive non-cash public assistance or charitable support. Advocacy groups argue that the suspension functions as a nationality-based ban that shuts out otherwise qualified applicants, including skilled workers and family members of American citizens, before their cases even get a proper review.
The lawsuit was brought by organizations including the National Immigration Law Centre, Democracy Forward, and The Legal Aid Society. Among the people suing are U.S. citizens who have been separated from spouses and relatives stuck abroad because of the freeze. The complaint also points to cases like that of a Colombian doctor who had already been approved for an employment-based visa reserved for individuals with extraordinary professional ability, only to be told he was ineligible because his country falls under the suspension.
If you are currently applying for a U.S. immigrant visa or are about to start the process, this situation is worth monitoring closely. Depending on your country of origin, the freeze could slow down or completely pause your application. It is a good idea to keep your documents current and your eligibility requirements in order so you are ready to move quickly if processing resumes. Since the policy is now being challenged in court, things could change depending on how the case unfolds, so staying informed and consulting with an immigration professional will be key to navigating whatever comes next.
US Ends Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced it will end Temporary Protected Status for Yemen, following a review by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem who concluded that the country no longer qualifies for the program. Yemen was first granted this protection in 2015 because of the ongoing armed conflict that made it unsafe for nationals to return home, and the status had been renewed several times over the past decade. The termination will officially kick in 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
Temporary Protected Status allows people from countries dealing with war, natural disasters, or other serious crises to live and work legally in the United States for a limited time. For the estimated one thousand or more Yemeni nationals currently covered under TPS, losing this status means losing those protections. Once the termination takes effect, anyone without a separate legal immigration status could be required to leave the country or risk being placed in deportation proceedings.
This move is part of a bigger move by the Trump administration to roll back TPS protections across multiple countries. A federal appeals court recently cleared the way for the government to also end protections for nationals of Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua after a lower court ruling that had temporarily blocked those terminations was overturned. However, some other TPS cases are still being challenged in court, meaning the situation continues to shift depending on ongoing legal battles.
If you currently hold TPS or are exploring humanitarian immigration options, this is a good reminder that temporary protections can change quickly. It is important to start looking into other options early — such as family-based immigration, employment visas, or asylum — rather than waiting until protections expire. Keeping an eye on court developments is also worthwhile, since some past TPS terminations have been paused or reversed through legal action. Getting your documents in order and speaking with an immigration attorney sooner rather than later can make a real difference if your status changes unexpectedly.
Newly Released DHS Memo Highlights Plan to Detain Refugees Who Are Yet to Apply for a Green Card After a Year
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a memo outlining a major change in how refugees already living in the United States may be treated. Under the new policy, refugees who do not apply for a green card within one year of arriving in the country could be arrested and held in detention until their immigration status is sorted out. This is a significant shift from how things have worked in the past, where missing the application deadline was not typically met with detention.
The memo goes further than just enforcing the one-year application rule. It suggests that detained refugees could also have their original refugee status re-examined — even though they already went through a thorough screening process before being allowed into the country. During this review, officials would look at whether the refugee qualifies for permanent residency, but the process could also be used to challenge why they were admitted in the first place. After being detained, a refugee would either be approved for permanent residency or placed on a path toward being removed from the country.
Immigration advocates and organizations like the International Refugee Assistance Project have strongly criticized the policy. They argue that it breaks from years of established practice and could affect thousands of people who are still working through the process of adjusting their status. Critics also warn that the policy could cause serious fear and uncertainty among refugees who came to the United States after fleeing danger and persecution in their home countries.
For anyone involved in the refugee resettlement process — whether applying themselves or helping others — this development is a clear sign that keeping up with immigration deadlines is now more critical than ever. Refugees are legally required to apply for a green card after one year in the U.S., and this policy suggests the government intends to enforce that requirement much more strictly going forward. Staying on top of application timelines, attending required interviews, and working with a qualified immigration attorney can help avoid serious consequences under this new approach.
DHS Proposes New Restrictions on Work Permits for Asylum Applicants
The U.S. government is considering changes that would make it much harder for people seeking asylum to get permission to work while they wait for their cases to be decided. On February 23, the Department of Homeland Security published the proposed rule, which is still open for public feedback and has not become law yet.
Right now, asylum applicants can apply for a work permit after waiting a certain period of time. Under the new proposal, that wait would stretch to 365 days — a full year — from the date they file their asylum application. On top of that, applicants would need to submit their fingerprints and other biometric information as part of the work permit application. There is also a proposal to stop accepting work permit applications altogether during times when asylum cases are taking longer than 180 days to process, which could leave many people waiting even longer with no clear timeline. The proposal also gives immigration officials the ability to fast-track certain cases if negative information is found during the review process, which could affect how individual cases are handled. These changes are connected to President Trump’s broader immigration policies and an executive order focused on stricter immigration enforcement.
If this rule is finalised, asylum seekers could go an entire year or more without being able to work legally in the United States. That is a long time to go without income, especially while navigating a complex legal process.
If you are considering applying for asylum in the United States—or are already in the process—this proposal is something you should follow closely. If finalised, it could mean waiting much longer before being allowed to work legally in the U.S., which can make financial planning more challenging for many applicants. It may be helpful to prepare for a longer waiting period by understanding the asylum timeline, keeping your application documents organised, and watching for updates as the rule moves through the review process. The government is currently accepting public comments on the proposal until April 24, 2026, and the final decision could shape how asylum seekers support themselves while their cases are pending.
