Forbes has released a report that Trump’s administration is restricting almost every category of LEGAL immigration to the US. The report is here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2026/08/17/trump-officials-now-restricting-all-legal-immigration-categories/
Forbes writes that the Trump administration has introduced a broad series of immigration restrictions in 2026 affecting people who are trying to come to or remain in the United States legally.
The changes reach far beyond undocumented immigration. They affect family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based applicants, Diversity Visa winners, refugees, students, temporary workers, and people applying for permanent residence.
According to an August 2026 Forbes analysis, the combined policies could substantially reduce legal immigration to the United States over the course of the administration. The article cited an estimate from the National Foundation for American Policy projecting a 33% to 50% reduction in legal immigration compared with previous expectations.
FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may face more scrutiny when sponsoring relatives.
One major area is the government’s expanded approach to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Immigration officers have been given greater discretion to examine an applicant’s financial circumstances and potential future reliance on public benefits when deciding certain green card applications.
This means that even a legally valid family petition does not automatically guarantee approval of permanent residence.
IMMIGRANT VISAS AND COUNTRY-BASED RESTRICTIONS
Earlier in 2026, the State Department paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries while it reviewed public-charge and screening policies.
Importantly, that specific 75-country pause was terminated pursuant to a federal court order as of August 21, 2026. However, other visa restrictions, heightened screening requirements, and country-specific entry limitations remain in effect.
Applicants should therefore check the rules that apply to their particular nationality and visa category rather than assuming that normal processing has fully resumed.
DIVERSITY VISA WINNERS
The Diversity Visa program has faced especially serious disruption.
After litigation ended an earlier suspension, the State Department announced another pause on Diversity Visa issuance effective in late August 2026. Applicants may still submit applications and attend scheduled interviews, but the State Department states that Diversity Visas are not currently being issued under the pause.
This is particularly important for DV-2026 winners because eligibility for the DV-2026 program ends on September 30, 2026. Under the statute and State Department rules, unused DV-2026 eligibility generally cannot simply carry over into the next fiscal year.
EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION AND H-1B VISAS
Foreign workers and U.S. employers are also facing significant changes.
The administration has increased scrutiny of employment-based immigration and has pursued additional changes to H-1B and permanent labor certification policies. More recently, a September 18, 2026 presidential proclamation extended restrictions affecting certain H-1B workers outside the United States and tied covered petitions to a $100,000 payment unless an exception applies.
These changes can significantly affect hiring decisions, consular processing, travel, and long-term green card strategies.
STUDENTS AND OTHER TEMPORARY VISA APPLICANTS
Visa screening is also becoming more extensive.
Beginning October 1, 2026, the State Department is expanding online-presence review to additional visa classifications, including TN professionals and foreign media representatives. Similar screening already applies to numerous categories, including F and M students, J exchange visitors, H-1B workers, certain dependents, K fiancé visa applicants, and several humanitarian visa categories.
For some applicants, social media and other publicly available online information may therefore become an important part of the visa-screening process.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR IMMIGRANTS?
The biggest takeaway is that having a legal immigration pathway does not necessarily mean that the process will be simple or predictable.
Government policies, litigation, presidential proclamations, agency guidance, visa-processing restrictions, public-charge rules, and enhanced screening procedures can change quickly.
If you are considering:
- Family-based immigration
- Marriage-based adjustment of status
- Employment-based green cards
- H-1B or other employment visas
- Consular processing
- Diversity Visa processing
- Student visas
- Humanitarian immigration options
- Adjustment of status inside the United States
it is important to understand the current rules before filing, traveling, or making major decisions about your case.
Shepelsky Law Group can review your immigration history, explain the rules currently affecting your case, and discuss available legal options.
📞 Call Shepelsky Law Group at 718-769-6352 to schedule a consultation.