Date: 28/07/2026

United States
Big Alert — Employment Visa (H-1B)
Court Keeps $100,000 H-1B Fee Blocked

What it means:
On July 24, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit refused to lift the block on President Trump's proclamation that required a $100,000 payment with every new H-1B petition. The fee stays suspended while the case, brought by 20 states, continues through the courts. This means employers filing new H-1B petitions right now do not have to pay this charge.

Impact: Consultants should tell clients that H-1B filings can continue at the normal cost for the time being. The case is not over, and the administration is expected to push it further, possibly to the Supreme Court. Employers with pending offers should keep watching this case closely rather than delay filings out of uncertainty.

United States
Active Alert — Enforcement
DHS Begins Charging $998 a Day for Ignoring Removal Orders

What it means:
The Department of Homeland Security has started sending letters demanding daily fines of $998 from people who received a removal order and did not leave the country. DHS says it has already issued more than $84 billion in such fines through this process. The fines apply even to people who are legally allowed to remain while fighting their case in court, or who hold a valid work permit.

Impact: Anyone with a past removal order, even one that is currently being appealed, should review their situation right away. Consultants should flag this risk clearly to affected clients, since unpaid fines can damage credit records and be used against a person in future immigration proceedings.

Canada
Active Alert — Travel Documents
Canada Expands Online Passport Renewal Access

What it means:
Canada's Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab, announced in Vancouver on July 28 a further expansion of the country's online passport renewal system, allowing more Canadians to renew their passports from home rather than visiting a Service Canada office in person. This builds on earlier increases that raised the daily online application limit from 1,000 to 1,500 over the past year.

Impact: Clients handling Canadian travel document renewals should check the updated eligibility rules on Canada.ca, since more applicants now qualify for the faster online route ahead of the busy autumn travel period.

United States
Active Alert — Visitor Visa
State Department Launches Paid Fast Track for Visitor Visa Interviews

What it means:
The U.S. Department of State has begun a pilot program that lets B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants pay an extra $750 to secure an interview appointment within 10 business days. The program started with the U.S. Mission in Mexico and will run through December 31, 2026, with more locations possibly added later. Applicants still pay the standard $185 visa fee and follow the normal process.

Impact: Consultants working with clients in Mexico should mention this option for travelers with urgent timelines, while making clear that paying for a faster appointment does not improve approval chances.

United States
Reminder — Temporary Protected Status
TPS Work Permit Extensions Continue Amid Ongoing Litigation

What it means:
USCIS continues to issue short extensions to work permits for people under Temporary Protected Status while related court cases proceed. Burma TPS work permits were extended through August 3, and Haiti's status remains valid under a court order, with USCIS instructing employers to enter July 27, 2026 as the relevant document date on Form I-9.

Impact: Employers with TPS employees from these countries should not assume permits have expired. HR teams and consultants should check the latest USCIS alerts before taking any action affecting a TPS holder's employment.

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants
With TPS status and fee rules now changing through court orders almost every week, check the USCIS Alerts page before every client call instead of relying on last month's notes. A single new order can change a client's work authorization overnight.