US Immigration Policy Monitor

Monthly insights impacting F-1, H-1B, and Employment-Based Green Cards

Immigration policy doesn’t change quietly.
Each month, legislative actions, regulatory updates, and agency guidance reshape how international talent enters, works, and stays in the United States.

The ACCENTUATE! Immigration Policy Monitor provides a clear, monthly summary of the most relevant U.S. immigration changes impacting:

  • F-1 students and OPT/STEM OPT

  • H-1B employers and foreign national professionals

  • Employment-based Green Card applicants

No speculation. No panic. Just what changed, why it matters, and who is impacted.

This is NOT legal advice. Please consult with your immigration attorney for further details.

What We Track

Each monthly update focuses on:

  • Legislative actions (Congress, funding bills, statutory changes)

  • Regulatory updates (DHS, USCIS, Department of State)

  • Operational guidance (policy memos, processing changes)

  • Visa Bulletin trends affecting employment-based Green Cards

Sources include USCIS, Department of State, DHS, and nationally recognized immigration law firms.

January 2026

January often sets the tone for the year ahead—and in immigration, that tone is rarely subtle.
As 2026 begins, several legislative and regulatory developments are already reshaping the landscape for F-1 students, H-1B employers and professionals, and employment-based Green Card applicants. From changes in visa selection processes to shifts in processing priorities and costs, these updates carry real implications for workforce planning, career mobility, and long-term immigration strategy. This January overview highlights what changed, who is impacted, and why it matters—cutting through the noise to provide clarity at the start of the year.

1) Pause on Immigrant Visa Processing for Certain Countries

What Changed:
Starting January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced a pause on the processing of immigrant visas for individuals from a large list of countries (impacting Green Card applicants abroad). This does not affect F-1 or nonimmigrant visas, but immigrant visa processing abroad (Green Cards) will be suspended for affected nationals until further notice.

Why It Matters:
● Affects consular processing for employment-based and family-based immigrant visas for many applicants from impacted countries.
● Adjustment of status inside the U.S. might still continue depending on USCIS.

🔗 Source: UCDavis Federal Government Immigration Updates — January 15, 2026 Current federal immigration updates including immigrant visa pause (UCDavis)

2) H-1B Selection Process Overhaul — Wage-Based Priority

What Changed:
DHS published a final rule changing how H-1B petitions are selected when demand exceeds the annual cap. Instead of the pure random lottery, selection will prioritize wage level and other criteria — a shift expected to take effect February 27, 2026, but was finalized in late December 2025 and is highly relevant for January filings and preparations.

Why It Matters:
● Impacts H-1B cap season selection mechanics for employers and F-1 STEM graduates seeking employment visas.
● Higher-paying jobs will have significantly better odds of selection, making entry-level transitions harder.

🔗 Source: President’s Alliance on Higher Ed & Immig Updates — Jan 5, 2026 H‑1B wage‑based selection rule overview (Presidents’ Alliance)

3) DHS Announces Changes to H-1B Visa Awarding Process

What Changed:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a rule changing the H-1B selection process, officially replacing the random lottery with a process that gives priority to higher skilled/higher paid beneficiaries. This is a regulatory change tied to DHS policy (impacts preparation and employer strategy).

Why It Matters:
● Alters how employers and attorneys must plan H-1B filings.
● Sets groundwork for the wage-based lottery beginning in 2026.

🔗 Source: DHS / USCIS Rule Change — USCIS Public Affairs Release DHS announces changes to H‑1B selection process (USCIS)

4) USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase (Effective March 1, 2026)

What Changed:
A final rule to increase Premium Processing fees for certain immigration benefit requests (including H-1B and Green Card-related filings) was scheduled for publication in January 2026. While effective March 1, the rule publication in January means fee changes will affect budgeting for filings now.

Why It Matters:
● Cost of expedited processing for H-1B, adjustment of status, and other employment-based filings will increase significantly.
● Institutions and applicants should prepare for higher fees for faster adjudication.

🔗 Source: Murthy Law Firm Immigration News — Jan 12, 2026 USCIS premium processing fee increase published (Murthy)

5) Outlook & Policy Direction on H-1B, Legal Immigration in 2026

What Changed:
Major news outlets and immigration analysts reported broad policy shifts announced in early January — including plans to reduce legal immigration, limit hiring of H-1B visa holders, and increase enforcement/deportations. Although not a single statutory change, this reflects administration policy direction coming out in January 2026 and influences interpretation and implementation of immigration law.

Why It Matters:
● Signals the direction of regulatory and enforcement actions affecting F-1 to H-1B pathways and long-term immigration.
● Employers and schools must adjust compliance strategies.

🔗 Source: Forbes — January 6, 2026 Policy outlook on H‑1B and immigration in 2026 (Forbes)

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Additional Context (January 2026): Visa Bulletin & Priority Dates

While not a legislative change, the Visa Bulletin for February 2026 was published in January 2026 (impacting Green Card priority dates and adjustment of status timing). It also noted a USCIS premium processing fee increase scheduled for March 1, 2026, affecting planning for employment-based Green Card applications.