Immigration - Laborsphere

Restoring Control over the Immigration System — UK Government White Paper

On 12 May 2025, the UK Government published a major policy document outlining the Government’s plan to reduce legal migration, increase employer compliance obligations, and reshape the immigration system around domestic skills and integration. The proposals signal a shift away from using immigration to meet workforce demand, particularly in lower-paid sectors, and marks a continuation of efforts to reduce net migration to “sustainable levels”. We summarise the key proposed measures.

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UK Immigration — Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, March 2025; and Home Office and Nationality Fee Changes

On 12 March 2025, the UK Home Office laid before Parliament the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. This outlines several significant amendments aimed at refining and updating the United Kingdom’s immigration system, and we summarise key changes.

The Home Office has also announced changes to immigration and nationality fees, which will come into effect on 9 April 2025. These fee adjustments apply to various visa categories, and we give a breakdown of some of the revised fees.

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Department of State Updates Eligibility for Waivers of Nonimmigrant Visa Interviews

The Department of State unexpectedly updated the requirements for nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility, effective February 18. The interview waiver program (also referred to as Dropbox) allows qualified visa applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, offering a more streamlined and efficient process. These changes, which greatly limit the number of individuals eligible for visa waivers, come at the helm of President Trump’s Executive Order directing federal agencies to recommend ways to enhance screening and vetting of all visa applicants seeking admission to the United States.

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Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) Under the Trump Administration 2.0

President Trump has ordered a review of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations made under the Biden administration. The President has previously stated that he intends to revoke TPS for Haitians and Venezuelans, two of the three largest groups of TPS beneficiaries in the United States. During his first administration, he chose to let TPS designations expire for several countries before being blocked in court. Other humanitarian immigration programs like Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) may be at risk under the new Trump administration. The administration’s actions in choosing to extend or eliminate TPS and DED designations for countries up for expiration in 2025 will inform how the administration will proceed with the humanitarian programs.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Under the Trump Administration 2.0

With the future of the DACA program remaining uncertain in 2025 and beyond, it is crucial for employers to take immediate action if they haven’t already. Employers should familiarize themselves with their workforce and screen their employees for other potential benefits, exploring options to transition them to another nonimmigrant status where feasible. While DACA provides temporary relief, it does not lead to lawful permanent residence or other immigration statuses. However, DACA recipients are still eligible to apply for nonimmigrant status, file for adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition, or seek other immigration benefits or protections they may qualify for. Given the time of year, it is particularly advantageous to assess H-1B visa eligibility in preparation for the upcoming H-1B cap lottery in the spring.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Extreme Vetting at U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Executive Order “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” directs federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, to re-establish enhanced vetting and screening processes for foreign nationals seeking a visa or immigration benefit of any kind. Agencies are to vet and screen visa applicants to the maximum degree possible, particularly foreign nationals applying and arriving from nations with identified security risks. It is expected that additional vetting and screening requirements will only add to increased wait times for visa clearances at U.S. embassies and consulates. The order further directs the administration to begin the process of restoring a potential travel ban within 60 days.

To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.