New Immigration Rules in 2026 Under the Trump Administration
1. Expanded Entry Restrictions & Travel Ban (Jan. 1, 2026)
Over 39 countries will be affected by this ban, which prohibits aliens from those countries from receiving visas or entering the US. Some are experiencing a full ban while other’s have a partial ban which targets visitor, student, and exchange visas.
This ban extends to people who were outside the U.S. on Jan 1 and do not have a valid visa. You can read more about this change and the countries it affects here.
2. Expanded Visa Bond Policy (Jan. 21, 2026)
The state department released a statement which says, "any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
The countries that will be impacted by this bond can be found here. Once the visa holder has paid this bond, they will be required to enter the US at the entry ports, which can be found on the same page.
The decision to require a bond — and the bond amount — is made on a case-by-case basis by a consular officer, and factors in elements such as the applicant’s immigration history, prior overstays, and perceived risk of remaining in the United States beyond the authorized period.
This bond is not a visa fee and may be returned to the person if they leave the US on time and follow all the visa conditions. It must be paid after the visa application is approved and before the visa is issued.
3. TPS Status & Related Shifts (Early 2026)
Venezuela: The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuelan nationals has ended, meaning many Venezuelans who used to have legal protection and work authorization are now at risk of losing status.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that former Venezuelan TPS holders may be eligible to apply for refugee status instead as part of a policy shift, but they still face uncertainty as they transition out of TPS protection.
Haiti: The TPS designation for Haiti is ending in early 2026, affecting roughly 350,000 Haitian nationals. Unless these individuals have another lawful immigration status, they will no longer be protected from removal and will need to prepare to depart the US. Critics point out that Haiti remains unstable, raising humanitarian concerns about the termination.
Burma (Myanmar): TPS for Burmese nationals is being terminated effective January 26, 2026, impacting nearly 4,000 beneficiaries who may lose their TPS protections and work authorization unless they secure another legal basis to remain.
4. Inflation-Based Fee Increases on Immigration Filings (Jan. 1, 2026)
All filings made after January 1, 2026, will be subject to new fees, and if these fees aren’t paid, then the applicant could face an outright rejection.
- Annual Asylum Application Fee: $100, now $102
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) – Form I-765:
- Initial EAD for asylum/parole/TPS — $550, now $560
- Renewal/extension of parole EAD — $275, now $280
- Renewal/extension of TPS EAD — $275, now $280
- Form I-131 (Part 9) – Re-parole EAD:
- EAD requested upon authorization of a new period of parole — $275, now $280
- Form I-821 – Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS): $500, now $510
5. Loss of Social Benefits for Lawfully Present Immigrants (Jan. 1, 2026)
Under the Big Beautiful Bill, an estimated 1.4 million people will no longer qualify for premium tax credits that help lower the cost of health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
As a result, while these immigrants may still be legally present in the US, their monthly health insurance premiums are expected to increase by a lot, making coverage less affordable or inaccessible for some.
This change applies to the 2026 health plan year and impacts people who previously relied on these subsidies to keep their coverage.
This policy change does not alter anyone’s immigration status and does not affect eligibility for immigration benefits. However, it does represent a big shift in access to healthcare support and may force many families to take another look at their insurance options beginning in 2026.
This is only the beginning of the year, and more immigration changes are expected throughout 2026, so it’s important that you stay on top of updates to the immigration process. Navigating immigration changes can be overwhelming, especially as policies continue to shift.
Early guidance can help prevent costly mistakes and missed deadlines. If you have questions about your options in 2026, speaking with an experienced immigration attorney can make a huge difference.
