Weekly Immigration News Roundup: July 24

This week, Manifest immigration attorney Robby Rubin offers his insights on the latest headlines.

Family categories leap forward in the August Visa Bulletin

On July 20, the State Department published the August 2026 Visa Bulletin, with family-based categories making some of their biggest jumps of the year. USCIS also confirmed that family-based applicants can keep using the filing dates chart to decide when to file for adjustment of status.

Rubin: "If your priority date is now current per the dates for filing chart, you should make sure to have your adjustment of status application filed and received by USCIS by the end of August! If you're current for dates for filing but not for final action dates, that means that you will be able to enjoy the benefits of having a pending I-485 application, including the ability to file for work authorization, and the ability to remain in an authorized period of stay if you're underlying status is soon to expire.

However, USCIS will only issue Green Cards to adjustment of status (AOS) applicants that are also current per the final action dates chart. This can lead to AOS applications that stay pending for an extended period of time."

USCIS reached the FY2027 H-1B cap

The agency announced on July 17 that it has enough petitions to fill the 65,000 regular cap and the 20,000 master's cap, so no second lottery is expected. This was the first year selections ran under the wage-weighted system.

Rubin: “Individuals who were not selected in the lottery and don't have other options to remain in a work authorized status still have several options. If you are in a grace period, you can remain in the U.S. while you pursue other employment options, such as cap-exempt H-1Bs with non-profits affiliated with institutions of higher education or research, and if eligible, an O-1.”

“Duration of status” ends for international students

DHS finalized a rule that ends admission for duration of status for F and J visa holders. Starting September 15, 2026, students and exchange visitors will be admitted until their program end date, capped at four years plus a 30-day grace period.

Rubin: "Duration of Status (D/S) will be replaced with four-year term cap for F and J visa holders. However, an I-539 extension can be filed up to 6 months before the expiration of the 4 years.

If you are an international student that wants to pursue another educational program, you will likely need to pursue a program that is one degree “higher” than the degree they just earned. This means moving up from an undergraduate to a masters program, and from a masters program to a PhD.

Also, F-1 students interested in OPT and STEM OPT should file their I-539 as early as possible, as current processing times are around 5 months. Premium processing should also be available if needed.”

Officers can weigh public benefits against Green Card applicants

The DHS repealed the 2022 public charge rule. Starting September 18, 2026, officers can weigh means-tested benefits like SNAP and Medicaid in Green Card decisions. The change is not retroactive, so benefits used before that date fall under the old guidelines.

Rubin: “The past usage of means-tested public benefits does not automatically disqualify you from permanent residence, even under the new rule. If you’re affected by this rule, my suggestion is to strategize with an immigration attorney and find eligible evidence that proves you’ve overcome these circumstances.”

Asylum seekers get their 30-day work permit deadline back

DHS issued a Federal Register correction restoring the requirement that USCIS decide first-time asylum work permit applications within 30 days. An April interim rule had dropped the deadline, which set off a legal challenge from nonprofit and labor groups. The correction applies retroactively to May 29, 2026.

USCIS confirms it can deny cases over invalid signatures

New Policy Manual guidance confirms that officers may reject or deny a benefit request the agency already accepted if the signature is later found invalid, and the agency keeps the filing fee. The guidance applies to requests filed on or after July 10, 2026, and builds on a May interim rule that codified signature standards.

Rubin: “It is very important that attorneys and clients alike make sure that they are printing and then signing in wet ink all forms, and verifying that they are using the correct edition date. G-1450 and G-1650s should be filled out digitally, and printed and signed in the signature area in wet ink, as there have been issues with USCIS not being able to read the handwriting in those payment forms and rejecting filings due to invalid payment source.”