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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Publishes Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

🇺🇸 United StatesConsultations1 recorded versionLast change 14 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The current document is a regulatory agenda from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) summarising projected regulations, existing regulations, and completed actions by DHS and its components. It provides information about DHS's regulatory and deregulatory activity. This agenda is published pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 (as incorporated in Executive Order 13563), which mandate the publication of such an agenda. It also lists several regulatory actions in various stages, including a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, Fifth Preference (EB-5) Fee Rule in the final rule stage, and completed actions for Petition for Immigrant Worker Reforms (withdrawn) and Weighted Selection Process for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions (amending regulations).

Overview

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued its Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions on 14 August 2026. This notice provides a summary of projected regulations and ongoing actions, encompassing several critical immigration policy areas. Significant proposals include revisions to the EB-5 fee structure, reforms for immigrant worker petitions, a new weighted selection process for H-1B cap-subject petitions, and the implementation of a 9-11 response and biometric entry-exit fee for H-1B and L-1 visa holders. This agenda signals upcoming changes that will impact various visa categories and immigration processes.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its different parts
  • The public who are interested in DHS's regulatory and deregulatory work
  • Organisations and individuals affected by proposed or existing DHS regulations

What changed in the latest version

Before

The previous version of the Federal Register website's legal status notice explained that it was a test version and not an official legal document. It clarified that it did not replace the official printed versions or those on govinfo.gov. Until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) officially granted it legal status, it was described as an unofficial information source. People were advised to check their legal research against an official edition, as the electronic (XML) version did not count as official legal notice.

After

The current document is a regulatory agenda from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) summarising projected regulations, existing regulations, and completed actions by DHS and its components. It provides information about DHS's regulatory and deregulatory activity. This agenda is published pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 (as incorporated in Executive Order 13563), which mandate the publication of such an agenda. It also lists several regulatory actions in various stages, including a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, Fifth Preference (EB-5) Fee Rule in the final rule stage, and completed actions for Petition for Immigrant Worker Reforms (withdrawn) and Weighted Selection Process for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions (amending regulations).

This publication makes it clear what the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) current and future priorities are for making rules. This is very important for individuals and organisations affected by U.S. immigration and homeland security policies. If you are interested in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, you should particularly note the planned final rule about fees and the deadline of 22 December 2025 for public comments on the proposed rule. Furthermore, the decision to withdraw the Immigrant Worker Reforms rule and change the H-1B cap selection process shows shifts in policy for these categories. This means affected employers and applicants need to understand the updated rules. Not paying attention to this agenda could mean you miss opportunities to provide input or are not ready for upcoming changes to the regulations.

Explained simply

Imagine the U.S. government is like a big school, and they have to tell everyone what new rules they are thinking about, what rules are already in place, and what rules they've decided not to do. This new announcement is like a list that the 'Homeland Security' department has just published. It tells everyone that they are still working on a rule about fees for a special type of visa for rich investors (EB-5), and this rule might become official by September 2026. It also says that another idea for changing rules about immigrant workers has been dropped. It's a way for the government to be open about its plans so people can understand and even share their thoughts.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v4Amended 14 Aug 2026PublishedInformational impact
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security Publishes Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, a summary of its projected, existing, and completed regulatory activities. This notice, published on 14 August 2026, aims to inform the public and enable participation in DHS's regulatory process. Key actions highlighted include a proposed final rule for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, Fifth Preference (EB-5) Fee Rule (NPRM comment period ends 22 December 2025), and completed actions to withdraw the Petition for Immigrant Worker Reforms and amend the Weighted Selection Process for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    14 Aug 2026

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its 'Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions', a key planning document outlining its regulatory and deregulatory activities. This notice, published in the Federal Register on 14 August 2026, summarises projected, existing, and completed actions across various DHS components. It serves to inform the public about the

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