Judge limits DHS election operations in nine states, for now
A preliminary injunction restricts specified DHS election-related field operations, but remained stayed as of October 22 while a $100 bond deadline approached.
Department of Homeland Security
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Voting-rights groups challenge DHS voter-data collection
Three organizations are asking a federal court to stop DHS from collecting and using state voter-registration data. Their complaint alleges the department obtained voter-file information from at least 47 states.
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DHS cuts refugee-status response deadline from 30 days to 10
A federal rule shortens the time to challenge a proposed refugee-status termination. Mailed notices allow 13 days, and DHS is accepting comments through Nov. 13.
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San Antonio asks court to pause planned ICE warehouse conversion
San Antonio is asking a federal court to stop work on a proposed East Side ICE facility until the agencies complete an environmental review. The lawsuit has not itself halted development.
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States and Cities Sue to Block New Public-Charge Rule
Two coalitions sued DHS on September 14 over a public-charge rule set to broaden immigration officers’ discretion for covered applications on September 18.
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California Voter-Data Lawsuit Raises Civil-Rights Questions
CHIRLA and a naturalized California voter are challenging an alleged federal voter-data review, warning that inaccurate matches could intimidate eligible citizens.
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BIA changes notice rules for in-absentia removal cases
A new BIA precedent lets DHS rely on a noncitizen’s most recent address for mailed removal notices, while preserving record-based reopening claims.
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Judge rules DHS plan for 50% FEMA staffing cut was unlawful
A federal judge found DHS unlawfully directed FEMA toward an 11,383-worker target, but the agency was not cut in half and employee relief remains unresolved.
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Appeals court keeps worship-site immigration safeguards in place
The Fourth Circuit preserved immigration-enforcement safeguards for designated worship sites as a separate contempt motion alleges surveillance inside a Minneapolis church.
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DHS proposes $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions
DHS proposed a $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions. The plan is not final, would add to existing costs and faces a September 24 deadline.
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State Department plans review of up to 200,000 visitor visas linked to asylum
The State Department is preparing a rolling review of up to 200,000 B-1 and B-2 visas linked to asylum claims, but revocation would not mean instant deportation.
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Twenty-six jurisdictions challenge FY2026 FEMA grant conditions
Twenty-five states and Washington, D.C., are asking a Rhode Island judge to block FEMA and DHS from tying emergency grants to election and immigration terms.
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DOJ trade-fraud task force reports more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties and charged losses
The Justice Department says a federal trade-fraud task force created with DHS surpassed $1 billion in combined recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than a year.
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DHS investigates breach of information-sharing network used by government partners
The Department of Homeland Security said it is investigating a cyber breach involving the Homeland Security Information Network, a platform used by government and law-enforcement partners to share sensitive but unclassified information.
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Justice Department Pushes for Statewide Voter Lists as 2026 Election Fight Moves to Court
The Justice Department says its Civil Rights Division can seek statewide voter-registration data and share it with Homeland Security. States are challenging access and election procedures as the 2026 elections approach.
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DHS Finalizes Plan to Rescind 2022 Public-Charge Rule, With Changes Set for Sept. 18
The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule rescinding 2022 public-charge regulations and revising public-charge bond rules. The changes are scheduled to take effect Sept. 18, 2026.
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DHS allows some affirmative asylum cases to go to immigration court without an interview
An interim final rule effective July 28 allows USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to immigration court without first conducting an asylum interview.
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DHS Changes Asylum Referrals, Allowing Some Cases to Reach Immigration Court Without Interviews
An interim final rule effective July 28 allows USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to immigration court without an interview and removes a credibility-assessment requirement from referral letters.
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25 States and D.C. Sue Over Attempt to Tie Disaster Funds to Election Policies
A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia is asking a federal court to stop DHS from conditioning disaster-related funding on changes to state election administration.
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DHS moves to broaden public-charge scrutiny beginning September 18
The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded the 2022 public-charge regulations, restoring broader discretion for immigration officers in certain admission and adjustment-of-status decisions.
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Twenty-Four Attorneys General and Two Governors Sue Over Federal Conditions on Emergency Funds
A multistate coalition is challenging FEMA and DHS conditions tied to billions of dollars in emergency and disaster funding, including requirements involving immigration enforcement and election administration.
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DHS will restore broader public-charge discretion in immigration decisions Sept. 18
The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded the 2022 public-charge regulations. A final rule restoring broader officer discretion is scheduled to take effect Sept. 18, 2026, for specified admission and adjustment-of-status applications.