The summer that changed the rules: what Latinos in the US need to know about USCIS in July 2026
- Alberto Alcala
- Jul 31
- 6 min read
If you are in the United States with a student visa, exchange visitor visa, waiting for a green card, or have a pending asylum case, this summer of 2026 has brought changes that can directly affect your future. In recent weeks, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have published a series of rules and announcements that profoundly transform the immigration system.
This is not a single change, but a wave of modifications: the end of a visa category that had existed for decades, a new "public charge" rule that expands the power of officers, restrictions on adjustment of status, longer interviews for marriage-based green cards, changes to the asylum system, and even a court ruling that unblocked cases from 39 countries. At RISE Immigration Services, we have reviewed each of these news items so you can understand what is happening and how it may affect you.
End of "Duration of Status" (D/S): F, J, and I visas change forever
On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule eliminating the "duration of status" (D/S) admission system that for decades allowed students (F-1), exchange visitors (J-1), and foreign media representatives (I) to remain in the country as long as they maintained their status without a fixed expiration date. This is one of the most significant structural modifications to these visa categories in decades.
Effective September 15, 2026, these individuals will no longer be admitted indefinitely. Instead, they will receive fixed periods of admission:
F students and J exchange visitors: will be admitted for the duration of their program, with a maximum of four years. The period is measured from the program start date on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, not from the entry date.
I media representatives: will be admitted for a maximum of 240 days.
Additionally, the grace period for F-1 students to leave the country after completing their program is reduced from 60 to 30 days. If you finish your studies or training earlier than expected, you must leave or change your status within 30 days.
This rule significantly increases government oversight of immigration status maintenance. If you are a student or exchange visitor, it is essential to be aware of your new admission date and to request formal extensions through USCIS if you need more time.
New "public charge" rule: more power for officers starting September 18
Another change taking effect on September 18, 2026, is the new "public charge" rule. This rule directly affects those seeking to obtain a green card through adjustment of status (Form I-485) from within the country.
What is changing? DHS is revoking most of the detailed regulations adopted in 2022, which limited the benefits officers could consider and defined key terms. Starting September 18, USCIS officers will have broader discretion to assess whether an applicant might become a public charge. They will be able to consider a wider range of factors, including public benefits history, financial circumstances, and other aspects of the applicant's situation.
Important: if you file your adjustment of status application before September 18, 2026, your case will be evaluated under the current rules. If you plan to apply for a green card from within the United States, this is a crucial factor to consider when deciding your strategy.
Adjustment of status only in "extraordinary circumstances"
On May 22, 2026, USCIS announced one of the most radical policies of the year: adjustment of status to obtain a green card from within the United States will only be granted in "extraordinary circumstances." This means that for most people, it will no longer be possible to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country.
USCIS justifies the change by arguing that if an applicant is denied while in the US, they could "disappear" and be difficult to track, and that the new approach seeks to make the system "fairer and more efficient." According to the Cato Institute, this policy could be illegal and legal challenges are expected.
It is not yet clear what qualifies as "extraordinary circumstances." Some categories, such as asylum applicants, certain refugees, and beneficiaries of the Cuban Adjustment Act, may still qualify. However, for most people, the path to obtaining a green card now goes through consular processing outside the country.
Asylum: a new rule to reduce backlog and in-person interviews
The asylum system has also undergone significant changes. On July 27, 2026, USCIS announced a new rule allowing the agency to refer asylum applications directly to an immigration judge without first interviewing the applicant. The goal is to reduce the backlog in the asylum system. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow noted that the system has been "exploited for delay and work authorization purposes."
This measure could mean that more asylum cases end up in immigration court, where the backlog already exceeds 3.5 million pending cases. The rule "shortens the total time it takes for asylum officers and immigration judges to adjudicate asylum applications," but it could also mean that applicants face a more adversarial process.
Additionally, since May 18, 2026, USCIS requires that attorneys and accredited representatives appear in person at adjustment of status, naturalization, and affirmative asylum interviews. Remote participation is no longer permitted.
Marriage-based green cards: longer interviews and greater scrutiny
For those processing residency through marriage, the new USCIS guidelines have tightened the evaluation. More than 300,000 applicants per year are under review.
The changes include:
Mandatory interviews for all cases (previously they could be discretionary).
Interviews that can last up to two hours (previously about 45 minutes).
Home visits and employer verifications in cases with inconsistencies.
Attorney Armando Olmedo clarifies that the requirements for the marriage-based green card have not changed; what has changed is the review approach. If your marriage is genuine, you should not fear, but prepare for a longer and more detailed process.
TPS: terminations and extensions
In the area of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), there have been significant movements. TPS for Ukraine was extended for 18 months, until October 19, 2026. However, TPS for Burma was terminated, with work permits expiring on January 26, 2026. Guidance was also issued on the termination of TPS for Haiti and South Sudan. If you have TPS, check the status of your specific country.
Judicial relief: cases from 39 countries unblocked
Not all the news is bad. On June 5, 2026, a federal judge overturned USCIS's freeze affecting applicants from 39 countries considered "high-risk," as well as those with documents from the Palestinian Authority. The court determined that USCIS's policies halting the adjudication of green cards, work permits, and other benefits were illegal. USCIS resumed processing these cases on June 12, 2026.
Fee increases and new costs
The cost of U.S. citizenship has also increased. The administration proposed an additional $570** increase in the naturalization fee, also eliminating waivers for low-income individuals. The new citizenship fees already exceed **$1,000.
What you should do today
With so many changes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But there are concrete steps you can take to protect your case:
If you are an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor: prepare for the transition to the new fixed admission system. Know your new deadline and, if you need more time, request a formal extension through USCIS.
If you plan to apply for a green card through adjustment of status: if you can file your application before September 18, 2026, your case will be evaluated under the current rules. After that date, the new "public charge" rule and adjustment of status restrictions may apply.
If you have an asylum case: prepare for the possibility that your case may be referred directly to an immigration judge without a prior interview with an asylum officer.
If you are processing a marriage-based green card: make sure you have all documentation demonstrating that your marriage is genuine. Prepare for longer interviews and possible home visits.
If you have TPS: check the status of your specific country. Some countries have been extended, others terminated.
Clear information, not legal advice
At RISE Immigration Services, we are not lawyers, but we are here to inform you. This content is a guide based on official announcements from USCIS, DHS, and reliable sources. For specific advice about your case, always consult with a licensed immigration attorney. The Latino community grows stronger when we support each other with honest information and no deception.
References
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog. July 27, 2026.
Duane Morris LLP. DHS Eliminates "Duration of Status" for F, J and I Nonimmigrants. July 22, 2026.
Mondaq. New Public Charge Rule Takes Effect September 18, 2026. July 31, 2026.
Devore Law Group. USCIS Announces That it Will Only Grant Adjustment of Status Under "Extraordinary Circumstances". May 22, 2026.
Telemundo Atlanta. ¿Peligra la residencia por matrimonio? Nuevas medidas para revisar las Green Cards. July 8, 2026.
National Law Review. Federal Court Vacates USCIS Benefits Hold Affecting Applicants From 39 Countries. June 9, 2026.
Meltzer Hellrung. USCIS Processing Freeze Overturned: Employer Impact. June 5, 2026.
La Nación. Más de US$1000: las nuevas tarifas para la ciudadanía estadounidense. June 27, 2026.
USCIS. SAVE - TPS Updates for Ukraine, Syria, South Sudan, Haiti, and Burma. 2026.
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