{"id":2952,"date":"2026-08-31T13:32:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T13:32:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:32:28","slug":"us-immigration-policy-changes-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Modifiche alle politiche di immigrazione statunitensi nel 2026: le novit\u00e0 di quest&#039;anno"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Sfogliare i contenuti<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Punti di forza<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#What_This_Guide_Covers\" >Argomenti trattati in questa guida<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#The_H-1B_100000_Fee\" >The H-1B $100,000 Fee<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#The_Trump_Gold_Card_Program\" >The Trump Gold Card Program<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#The_Biometrics_Processing_Pause\" >The Biometrics Processing Pause<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Travel_Ban_Country_Policy_Holds\" >Travel Ban Country Policy Holds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#The_New_Evidence_Standards_Policy\" >The New Evidence Standards Policy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Consular_Processing_as_the_Default_Route\" >Consular Processing as the Default Route<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Domande frequenti<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Is_the_H-1B_100000_fee_currently_being_enforced\" >Is the H-1B $100,000 fee currently being enforced?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Does_the_biometrics_pause_affect_every_immigration_application\" >Does the biometrics pause affect every immigration application?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#What_does_the_new_evidence_policy_mean_for_applicants\" >What does the new evidence policy mean for applicants?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Should_I_file_for_adjustment_of_status_inside_the_US_or_process_through_a_consulate_abroad\" >Should I file for adjustment of status inside the U.S. or process through a consulate abroad?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Bottom_Line\" >Conclusione<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Sources\" >Fonti<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/us-immigration-policy-changes-2026\/#Related_Articles\" >Articoli correlati<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>2026 has brought some of the most significant U.S. immigration policy shifts in years: a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries abroad, a new $1 million Gold Card immigrant visa program, a policy pushing consular processing over in-country adjustment of status as the default route to a green card, and a rule letting USCIS deny cases without first issuing a Request for Evidence.<\/strong> Several of these changes remain contested in court, so current enforcement status can shift quickly.<\/p>\n<p>This guide summarizes the year&#8217;s biggest changes and what each means practically. For the H-1B fee specifically, see our guide on the <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/h1b-100000-fee-rule-2026\/\">H-1B $100,000 fee rule<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Trying to understand how 2026&#8217;s policy changes affect your case? Atlas Legal stays current on these shifts and can review your specific situation. <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/contatto\/\">Fissa un appuntamento<\/a> con il nostro team.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"takeaways\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Punti di forza<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A September 2025 proclamation added a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries outside the U.S.; a court vacated it in June 2026, then paused that ruling pending appeal, so the fee remains in effect for now.<\/li>\n<li>Executive Order 14351 created the Gold Card immigrant visa program, requiring a $1 million individual gift ($2 million corporate-sponsored) plus a $15,000 processing fee.<\/li>\n<li>USCIS paused broad biometrics-dependent adjudications on April 27, 2026, to refresh background checks against newly accessible FBI databases.<\/li>\n<li>A federal court declared unlawful, and lifted, USCIS holds on benefits for nationals of 39 travel ban countries in June 2026; the government&#8217;s appeal has not restored them as of mid-2026.<\/li>\n<li>Since August 5, 2026, USCIS can deny applications without first issuing a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny if required initial evidence is missing.<\/li>\n<li>A May 2026 policy memo treats consular immigrant visa processing as the default green card route for most applicants, with in-country adjustment of status treated as discretionary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"toc\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_This_Guide_Covers\"><\/span>Argomenti trattati in questa guida<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#h1bfee\">The H-1B $100,000 fee<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#goldcard\">The Trump Gold Card program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#biometrics\">The biometrics processing pause<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#travelban\">Travel ban country policy holds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#evidence\">The new evidence standards policy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#aos\">Consular processing as the default route<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Domande frequenti<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"h1bfee\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_H-1B_100000_Fee\"><\/span>The H-1B $100,000 Fee<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Proclamation 10973, issued September 19, 2025, imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries located outside the United States, effective September 21, 2025. In June 2026, a federal court vacated the policy, but days later paused its own ruling, allowing USCIS to keep collecting the fee while the government&#8217;s appeal proceeds. Employers filing new H-1B petitions for candidates currently abroad should confirm the fee&#8217;s status before filing.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"goldcard\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Trump_Gold_Card_Program\"><\/span>The Trump Gold Card Program<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Executive Order 14351 established the Gold Card program to grant an expedited immigrant visa to individuals who contribute $1 million individually, or $2 million if sponsored by a company, after paying a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee. Applications are filed as Form I-140G with USCIS, with the program itself administered by the Commerce Department rather than USCIS.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"biometrics\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Biometrics_Processing_Pause\"><\/span>The Biometrics Processing Pause<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On April 27, 2026, USCIS confirmed a broad pause on adjudicating applications that require biometrics, in order to refresh background checks against FBI databases the agency newly gained access to. This has slowed processing across multiple benefit categories that depend on completed biometric background checks.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"travelban\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Travel_Ban_Country_Policy_Holds\"><\/span>Travel Ban Country Policy Holds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In March 2026, immigrant service organizations and labor unions sued over four interconnected USCIS policies, the Global Asylum Hold, Benefits Hold, Comprehensive Re-Review, and Country-Specific Factors Policy, which placed holds on immigration benefits for nationals of 39 travel ban countries. On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island declared these holds unlawful. As of mid-2026, the holds remain lifted, and the court has so far refused to let the government reinstate them during its appeal.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"evidence\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_New_Evidence_Standards_Policy\"><\/span>The New Evidence Standards Policy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Since August 5, 2026, USCIS guidance authorizes officers to deny an application or petition outright, without first issuing a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny, if the applicant fails to submit all required initial evidence. This is a significant change from prior practice, which generally gave applicants a chance to cure evidentiary gaps before a denial, and raises the practical stakes of filing a genuinely complete application the first time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"aos\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consular_Processing_as_the_Default_Route\"><\/span>Consular Processing as the Default Route<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A May 2026 policy memorandum directs officers to treat immigrant visa processing at a U.S. consulate abroad as the default route to a green card for most applicants, with in-country adjustment of status treated as a discretionary option rather than an equally available default. Applicants weighing whether to adjust status inside the U.S. or process through a consulate abroad should factor this shift into their planning.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Domande frequenti<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_H-1B_100000_fee_currently_being_enforced\"><\/span>Is the H-1B $100,000 fee currently being enforced?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As of mid-2026, yes, despite a court ruling against it, because the same court paused its own decision while the government appeals. Confirm the current status before filing, since litigation can change this quickly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_the_biometrics_pause_affect_every_immigration_application\"><\/span>Does the biometrics pause affect every immigration application?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It affects applications and petitions that require biometrics to complete background checks, which slows a range of benefit categories, though the scope and duration can change as USCIS works through the backlog.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_the_new_evidence_policy_mean_for_applicants\"><\/span>What does the new evidence policy mean for applicants?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It means a genuinely complete, well-documented initial filing matters more than ever, since officers can now deny a case for missing required evidence without first giving the applicant a chance to supplement it through an RFE or NOID.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_file_for_adjustment_of_status_inside_the_US_or_process_through_a_consulate_abroad\"><\/span>Should I file for adjustment of status inside the U.S. or process through a consulate abroad?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Given the May 2026 policy favoring consular processing as the default, discuss both options with an immigration attorney, since your specific facts, current location, and category may still support in-country adjustment as a discretionary choice.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bottom_Line\"><\/span>Conclusione<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>2026 has brought substantial policy shifts, several still contested in court, that affect fees, evidence standards, processing routes, and timelines across nearly every immigration category. Because litigation is actively reshaping several of these policies, confirm current status before making major filing decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Atlas Legal Immigration Law tracks these changes closely and can help you understand how they affect your specific case. Reach our team at <strong>1750 E Golf Rd, Ufficio 214, Schaumburg, IL 60173<\/strong>, per telefono a <strong>(+1) 872 382 2762<\/strong>, oppure tramite e-mail all&#039;indirizzo <strong>info@theatlaslegal.com<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/contatto\/\">Fissa un appuntamento<\/a> to discuss your case.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><em>Revisionato dal team editoriale di Atlas Legal specializzato in diritto dell&#039;immigrazione. Ultimo aggiornamento: 31 agosto 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sources\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sources\"><\/span>Fonti<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Consiglio americano per l&#039;immigrazione, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org\/blog\/uscis-implements-h1b-100000-fee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">L&#039;USCIS implementa la tassa H-1B Proclamation $100,000<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Servizi per la cittadinanza e l'immigrazione degli Stati Uniti, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/policy-manual\/updates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Policy Manual Updates<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Servizi per la cittadinanza e l'immigrazione degli Stati Uniti, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/newsroom\/alerts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alerts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, government fees, policies, and processing times may change, and several policies described here remain subject to active litigation. Reading this article or contacting Atlas Legal does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any immigration matter depends on its individual facts and circumstances.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"related\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Articles\"><\/span>Articoli correlati<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/h1b-100000-fee-rule-2026\/\">Regola sulla tariffa H-1B $100.000: cosa significa per datori di lavoro e richiedenti<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/trump-gold-card-vs-eb5-visa-2026\/\">Trump Gold Card vs EB-5 Visa: What Investors Need to Know in 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/uscis-denied-your-immigration-case\/\">L'USCIS ha respinto la tua richiesta di immigrazione: \u00e8 meglio presentare nuovamente la domanda, presentare ricorso o compilare il modulo I-290B?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the H-1B $100,000 fee to a new evidence-denial rule and the Gold Card program, here are 2026&#8217;s biggest US immigration policy changes explained.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[401,457],"tags":[250,1617,1620,1616,1619,1525,1618],"class_list":["post-2952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-immigration-guides","category-immigration-law","tag-adjustment-of-status-vs-consular-processing","tag-h-1b-100000-fee","tag-immigration-law-update","tag-immigration-policy-changes-2026","tag-travel-ban-immigration-holds","tag-trump-gold-card","tag-uscis-policy-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2952"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2952\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}