Latest US Immigration News: What Changed in June 2026
Posted: June 13, 2026 | Category: Immigration News | Reading Time: 7 minutes
For those currently following the U.S. immigration system — June 2026 saw a series of significant developments, from federal court intervention to changes in visa processing fees. We've compiled the essential information you need to know if you're in the application process.
1. Federal judge overturns broad suspension of immigration benefits.
This is one of the most important developments this week. A federal judge has overturned a policy that had suspended the processing of green card, asylum, work permit, and citizenship applications for applicants from 39 countries subject to travel restrictions .
The court ruled that USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) does not have the legal authority to implement such a broad halt to processing applications and has not adequately justified its actions. While this ruling could potentially move thousands of delayed applications forward, the situation could change as the government is likely to appeal.
Impact on applicants: If you have been affected by processing delays due to restrictions based on nationality, this development is worth watching closely. Cases may not move forward immediately, as implementation may be temporarily suspended by appeal, but it is an important signal that the courts are actively reviewing these policies.
2. The TPS (Temporary Protective Status) in Lebanon and El Salvador has been extended.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible individuals in the following two countries:
- Lebanon: Due to delays in the review process caused by changes in the domestic situation, the visa has been automatically extended by six months and is valid until November 27, 2026.
- El Salvador: TPS is valid until September 9, 2026.
In both countries, eligible individuals can continue to reside and work in the United States. Some work permits have been automatically extended without requiring immediate renewal procedures.
3. Visa Bulletin for June 2026: Subject to change
The U.S. State Department released its June 2026 visa bulletin, which included notable changes in family-based and employment-based categories:
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): Biggest Progress This Month — Final Action Dates advanced by approximately 5 months in most countries, including China, India, and the Philippines.
- F4 (Brothers and Sisters of American Citizenship): Moving forward in most countries and China
- India's EB-1 and EB-2: Regression in Last Acceptance Date Chart — A regression for employment-based applicants from India.
- Other employment-based final acceptance dates and application acceptance dates remain unchanged across the affected regions.
USCIS has confirmed that it will continue to use Final Action Dates for employment-based status adjustment applications and Dates of Filing for family-based applications.
4. A new special fee of $750 for priority interviews for tourist visas.
The State Department has introduced a temporary pilot program offering a voluntary $750 fee that allows applicants to prioritize scheduling interviews for B-1/B-2 tourist visas. At select consulates, an interview appointment is guaranteed within 10 business days. This pilot program will run until the end of 2026.
This is the first program of its kind for tourist visas and is part of an effort to manage the long waiting times at consulates where demand is high.
5. Visa services temporarily suspended at embassies in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.
Visa services are temporarily suspended at U.S. embassies in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. If you have an application pending in any of these countries, please contact the relevant embassy directly to check the current processing status and alternative consular options before making any travel plans related to your application.
6. Enforcement at the state level will continue to be strengthened.
This month, several states expanded their immigration enforcement budgets and infrastructure. Florida approved a $90 million increase in its immigration enforcement program, and the Southwest Florida Sheriff's Office secured an additional $18 million for enforcement activities, including AI technology. These moves are part of a larger trend of increasing state-level involvement in immigration enforcement alongside federal agencies.
Impact on those planning to immigrate to the United States
The U.S. immigration landscape is changing rapidly in 2026—court rulings, fee changes, and processing priorities could significantly alter the outlook for your application within weeks. If you are exploring U.S. immigration routes or comparing them to other destinations, it's crucial to stay up-to-date on policy changes before committing time and money to any particular route.
If you want to compare visa routes from a broader perspective, including Canada, the UK, Germany, Portugal, and 216 other countries, MigrantIQ offers a free, searchable directory covering 2,419 visa routes and over 48,000 immigration corridors to help you decide where to focus your application efforts.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policies change frequently, and the actual effect of the rules discussed in this article may change depending on the outcome of litigation. Always consult with USCIS, the Department of State, or a licensed immigration attorney for the latest information before making any decisions based on this information.