Weekly Immigration News Roundup: February 20
This week, Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar offers insights on some of the latest headlines.
The State Department released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin
This bulletin features several major movement updates. Most notably, EB-2 filing dates for India surged forward by 335 days, while Mexico, the Philippines, and the rest of the world became current.
Urizar: “The last time the EB-2 filing date was current for Mexico, the Philippines, and the rest of the world was November 2022. This is major news for EB-2 applicants – thousands are now eligible to apply for a Green Card.”
Homeland Security announced the end of Yemen’s TPS designation
Yemeni TPS holders have 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register to leave the country.
Urizar: “While TPS terminations can be blocked by successful litigation, court cases take months to adjudicate. Given that DHS only gives you 60 days to exit the country or find another underlying status, I recommend consulting with an attorney who can walk you through immediate next steps.”
USCIS closed its first filing window for returning H-2B workers
Employers who have not filed on behalf of a returning short-term employee must now wait until April 1 to submit Form I-129.
Urizar: “The H-2B program has strict deadlines and complex compliance requirements. If you’re interested in sponsoring a former employee through this visa, be prepared to file as soon as April 1 comes or start exploring alternative work authorization options.”
