The Trump Administration has released their Spring 2025 regulatory agenda, which contains thousands of proposed and final rules across a variety of government agencies. This publication is intended to explain the goals and priorities for each federal agency over the coming months. In this specific agenda, the agency changes of note are as follows:
H2A Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of Labor
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The DOL is considering amending the regulations which currently govern how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are calculated. Please note that this change only applies to non-range agricultural occupations. More details can be found here.
H2B Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of Labor
- Rule Making Stage: Final Rule
- Details: The DOL will amend the regulations which currently govern how wages are calculated. More details can be found here.
J, F, I Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of State
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The US Department of State seeks to adjust the current methods by which program sponsors may make extensions or reinstatements to a foreign nationals status. More details can be found here.
J Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of State
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The US Department of State seeks to make adjustments to the current au pair program. These adjustments are intended to clarify matters such as “childcare hours, compensation, host family and au pair agreements, stronger au pair protections, and provide additional education options.” More details can be found here.
F1 Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeks to clarify the current F1 OPT and CPT rules to “to address fraud and national security concerns, protect U.S. workers from being displaced by foreign nationals, and enhance the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s capacity to oversee the program”. More details can be found here.
Diversity Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of State
- Rule Making Stage: Final Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of State will now offset costs of the Diversity Visa lottery program by requiring a $1.00 fee to be paid by all foreign nationals who choose to register. More details can be found here.
H1B Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeks to implement changes to the H1B program, by “revising eligibility for cap exemptions, providing greater scrutiny for employers that have violated program requirements, and increasing oversight over third party placements”. More details can be found here.
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeks to modify the current H1B lottery system. This change would give preferential treatment to higher prevailing wage levels. However, this would not affect the lottery in any other regard. More details can be found here.
EB1, 2, 3 Immigrant Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeks to modify the existing immigrant visa regulations to prevent misuse of this program, particularly by “defining bona fide job offer and clarifying site visit authority”. This change would also provide greater clarity regarding ability to pay requirements and provide guidance for certain particularly complex categories, such as EB1A, EB1B, NIW and related. More details can be found here.
EB5 Immigrant Visas
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposes a rule that would “fully implement the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA)”. More details can be found here.
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposes a rule that would amend the required EB5 USCIS filing fees. Additionally, the rule seeks to pursue the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 further. More details can be found here.
Adjustment of Status
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security seeks to modify the requirements for civil surgeon certification. These modifications are yet to be proposed but will include “revocation provisions, periodic renewal requirements, board certification requirements, background check procedures, USCIS discretionary review, and requirements related to a civil surgeon’s reporting of negative factors involving medical licensing or criminal history”. More details can be found here.
All USCIS Benefit Requests
- Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Rule Making Stage: Proposed Rule
- Details: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposes a change to the collection of biometrics. More details can be found here.