Knowing about immigration reform is essential for all people who were born in another country and live or wish to live in the United States.
In addition, learning about changes in laws and new news of immigration reform is essential for activists and social movement organizers who want to protect the dignity of all people.
During 2025 and early 2026, U.S. immigration policy has undergone significant changes under Donald Trump’s administration.
Although comprehensive immigration reform was not approved in Congress, executive orders, presidential proclamations and administrative rules were implemented that, in practice, can generate important changes in how the immigration system works.
These changes directly affect migrants, asylum seekers, families waiting for visas, and Latino communities inside and outside the country.
What is immigration reform?
Immigration reform is the set of changes to the laws, rules, and policies that regulate immigration in the United States. These changes determine who can enter the country, who can stay, under what conditions visas, asylum or permanent residency are granted, and how deportations are enforced.
It is important to understand that immigration reform does not always mean a new law passed by Congress. In practice, migratory changes can occur in several ways:
- Federal laws, passed by the House and Senate, amending the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
- Executive orders and presidential proclamations, which allow the president to change the way existing laws are enforced.
- Administrative rules, issued by agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ), that adjust asylum, visa, or deportation processes.
When talking about immigration reform, many people think of a legislative change, a change to the laws passed by Congress. However, in reality, immigration reform is more complicated to understand, as it involves laws, executive orders, and policy changes.
In 2025 and 2026, most of the immigration changes did not come from Congress, but from the Executive Branch. This explains why the rules can change quickly and why some measures face lawsuits in federal courts.
Understanding what immigration reform is and how it is implemented is key to:
- Have realistic expectations.
- Identify false information.
- Knowing when a policy is temporary and when it can have lasting effects.
Key Changes Implemented by DHS and DOJ (2025–2026)
In 2025 and 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have issued policies and rules that modify the way immigration law is applied in the United States.
These changes do not come from a new immigration reform in 2026 approved by Congress, but from administrative regulations and presidential proclamations that affect, among other things, who can enter the country, who can request asylum and what procedures are suspended or limited.
The effect of these policies is real and concrete for millions of migrants and their families.
Travel bans: Proclamations limiting the entry of foreigners
One of the most significant changes by DHS, in cooperation with the Department of State, has been the expansion of entry and visa issuance restrictions for people from many countries.
Proclamation 10949:
President Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of nationals of 12 countries deemed to be of high risk to national security and public safety, as authorized by section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1182(f).
This section gives the president authority to restrict the admission of aliens when he deems it necessary for the security of the country.
Countries with total suspension of entry (visa and admission):
Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Countries with partial restrictions:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Proclamation 10998
In December 2025, another proclamation was issued to extend and modify entry restrictions.
This measure took effect on January 1, 2026 and increased the list of affected countries to 39, including countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as citizens with Palestinian Authority travel documents.
This change also suspended or limited the issuance of visas for citizens of the named countries, in all immigrant visa categories and many nonimmigrant visas, with some exceptions.
Suspension of visa issuance for multiple countries
In addition to the travel bans, the State Department, in coordination with DHS under the same proclamation of December 2025, announced the total suspension of visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries subject to direct prohibition as of January 1, 2026.
These include, for example:
- Afghanistan
- Eritrea
- Iran
- Yemen
- Syria
The only exceptions for these cases are specific visas, such as visas for refugees persecuted for religious or ethnic reasons, diplomatic visas, or dual nationals when using an unlisted passport.
In practice, this suspension of visa issuance may mean that even if you have a consular appointment or interview scheduled, you cannot be issued a new visa while these restrictions are in effect.
Asylum Rules and Public Health Risk
DHS and DOJ issued a final rule in December 2025 that allows applications for asylum or withholding of removal to be denied to people who are considered a risk to U.S. security; public health risks in specific circumstances were included.
This new rule refers to the concept of “Security Bars and Processing” and clarifies that:
- Asylum officers may consider public health factors as part of the criteria for inadmissibility or denial of asylum or withholding of removal.
- The rule was published in the Federal Register and became effective on Dec. 31, 2025.
This means that even if you are trying to apply for asylum on legitimate grounds (such as persecution), an officer could deny your application if there is a public health or safety risk associated with your case under this rule.
This change is connected to INA 212(a)(1)(A)(i), which allows for inadmissibility if someone poses a significant risk to public health, even though it was originally intended for specific epidemic diseases.
Pause or review in asylum processes
In late 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also announced a temporary pause in the processing of asylum applications while internal regulations and procedures are reviewed in light of the new rules and the government’s emphasis on “maximum vigilance.”
In some cases, this may mean that there may be significant delays in interviews, decisions, and asylum adjudications, although there is no blanket total ban. These delays, combined with policy changes, can make processes take longer than before.
Pause in visas from 75 countries
Although not a specific DHS or DOJ rule, the administration also paused the issuance of immigration visas for people born in at least 75 countries. This is one of the latest news on immigration reform.
Legislative reforms in Congress (2025–2026)
Although a comprehensive USA 2025 immigration reform was not approved in 2025 and 2026 , Congress did discuss and advance several legislative proposals that seek to modify key areas of the immigration system. Some of these initiatives are still under debate; others have stalled or face legal and political obstacles.
It is important to understand these proposals because, although not all of them become law, they set the direction of migration policy and can influence future administrative decisions.
Sheet Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act is a federal law passed in 2025 that reformed important parts of immigration detention and deportation policy in the United States.
The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to detain undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes without the option of bond.
The stated purpose of the law is to ensure that people charged with crimes such as robbery, aggravated assault, or violent crimes are not released while facing simultaneous criminal and immigration proceedings.
Trump Immigration Reform: Executive Orders and Immigration Proclamations
In 2025 and part of 2026, Donald Trump’s administration has signed several executive orders and presidential proclamations that have had a direct impact on U.S. immigration policy.
These measures do not require congressional approval and, in many cases, have modified how existing laws are interpreted or applied. However, some of these proclamations have been blocked by the courts. For this reason, it is essential to know the latest immigration reform news.
Executive Order 14159
Executive Order 14159, immigration reform 2025 issued by Trump, orders federal agencies to prioritize immigration control under national security criteria, to expand detentions and deportations of people considered “risk.”
What it does:
- Expands expedited deportations.
- It reduces protection for certain asylum seekers.
- It limits the use of federal resources in jurisdictions considered “sanctuary.”
- It gives DHS authority to prioritize immigration enforcement.
Executive Order 14160
Trump‘s immigration reform 14160 attempts to redefine who qualifies for birthright citizenship in the United States under the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment.
The order states that children of parents who were unlawfully present or in temporary status (such as student or tourist visas) and whose other parent is not a citizen or legal resident, will not automatically receive U.S. citizenship at birth.
This measure has been challenged in multiple federal courts and is currently facing court blocks.
Executive Order 14161
EO 14161, signed in 2025, toughens the entry of immigrants and asylum seekers under national security criteria (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)).
For many migrants, it generates delays, rejections and fear, despite complying with the law.
Executive Order 14287
EO 14287 directs DOJ and DHS to designate “sanctuary jurisdictions” and consider federal funding cuts to states and cities that limit cooperation with ICE (e.g., they do not share immigration information).
This order criminalizes local policies of protection and equity, threatens the autonomy of immigrant communities, and creates fear among families already facing social and legal insecurity.
Executive Order 14224
EO 14224 declares English to be the official language of the federal government, and limits the obligation to provide public services in other languages.
This order makes it difficult to access vital information, confuses immigration processes, and may exclude those who are not yet fluent in English from legal and asylum procedures.
Executive Order 14288
EO 14288 directs the Administration to strengthen and coordinate federal resources to support state and local police in the supposed fight against crime, with increased training, equipment, and use of military assets.
This order reinforces aggressive policing practices, reduces accountability, and creates fear among immigrant and communities of color, without addressing justice reforms that protect civil rights from excessive use of force.
Proclamation 10888
Proclamation 10888 declares that the massive flow of people across the southern border amounts to an “invasion” and authorizes suspending the physical entry of those who cross without proper inspection.
This proclamation criminalizes migrants and asylum seekers, limits access to protections such as asylum and prioritizes border security over basic human rights, and creates fear among families and communities seeking legitimate protections.
The “Big Beautiful Bill”: Federal Budget and Immigration (2025–2026)
In 2025, Donald Trump’s administration pushed through what the president himself called the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a federal budget package that, although not an immigration law in itself, has had profound and direct effects on immigration policy in the United States.
Through the budget, the Executive can prioritize which policies are strengthened and which are weakened, even without passing new laws in Congress.
Historic increase in funds for immigration control
The budget included significant increases in key areas:
- Additional billions of dollars for CBP and border enforcement.
- Expansion of immigration detention centers operated by ICE.
- Resources to expedite deportations and removal proceedings.
Direct impact on asylum seekers
One of the most relevant effects of the “Big Beautiful Bill” has been the reduction of funds for humanitarian programs; Includes:
- Legal services for asylum seekers.
- Refugee resettlement programs.
- Alternatives to detention (ATD).
This has led to longer delays, more people detained, and less access to legal representation, a critical factor in asylum cases.
More resources for ICE and cooperation with local law enforcement
The budget also strengthened collaborative programs between ICE and state and local agencies, and includes:
- Expansion of the 287(g) program.
- Funding conditional on cooperation with ICE.
- Economic pressure against jurisdictions considered “sanctuary”.
These measures are aligned with executive orders that encourage police collaboration on immigration matters.
How can an immigration lawyer help you right now?
In a context of rapid and frequent changes such as those we experienced in 2025 and 2026, having a reliable immigration lawyer is not a luxury, but a necessity.
A skilled attorney can help you understand how executive orders, proclamations, and budgets like the “Big Beautiful Bill” affect your specific case.
At Lorenzo Law Group/Immigration Attorneys, we review your immigration history, evaluate available legal options, and guide you step-by-step to minimize risks of deportation or inadmissibility.
We can advise you on asylum, family visas, unlawful presence waivers, and any paperwork affected by new DHS and DOJ policies.
Immigration reform and changes in policies, practices, and funding are not over; if you are an immigrant in an irregular situation or with an open process, call Lorenzo Law Group/Immigration Lawyers as soon as possible to explore all the options available in your case.
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