U.S. District Court Temporarily Vacates USCIS Diversity Visa Hold Policy, Orders Resumption of Normal Adjudication

What changed

The French Court of Cassation issued a significant judgment on 3 July 2026, mandating the recognition of parentage for children born abroad via surrogacy (GPA) in France. This decision applies when a foreign court ruling, designating intended parents, presents guarantees compliant with international public policy. It overrides prior interpretations that would have limited such recognition to the effects of an adoption, ensuring that established filiations are acknowledged as such in France. This clarification aims to uphold the child's best interests, even though surrogacy remains prohibited domestically.

What changed

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a proposed rulemaking to introduce substantial new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 nonimmigrant students. This measure, announced on 8 October 2026, aims to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by deterring fraud and protecting the interests of U.S. workers. Under the proposal, an initial OPT application would incur a fee of $70,000, while any subsequent OPT would cost $30,000. Stakeholders have until 9 November 2026 to submit comments on these proposed changes.

What changed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented an inflation-based increase for certain immigration-related fees, effective from 16 October 2026. This adjustment, mandated by H.R. 1, impacts specific application fees, including those for asylum applications, travel documents, employment authorisation, and Temporary Protected Status. Requests postmarked on or after this date must include the new, higher fee, otherwise they will be rejected. This ensures ongoing alignment with inflationary costs as specified in the legislation.

What changed

The United States Department of Justice proposes amending its Privacy Act regulations to exempt records within the Executive Office for Immigration Review's new "Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program Records" system from specific provisions of the Privacy Act. This proposed rule, published on 15 October 2026, aims to safeguard law enforcement sensitive materials, including information on complainants, witnesses, and subjects of investigations related to immigration fraud and abuse. Public comments on this proposal are invited until 16 November 2026, and its implementation would impact individuals' rights to access and amend certain records concerning them held within this system.