This week, the Department of Homeland Security is making major headlines with a powerful shift in its role: for the first time, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, will now have expanded law enforcement powers. Announced in a DHS final rule, as reported by Duane Morris and NAFSA, effective October 6, 2025, specially-appointed USCIS agents will be able to investigate immigration-related crimes, make arrests, and even execute search warrants—activities that used to belong almost exclusively to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated, “This is about better protecting the integrity of our immigration system and the security of our communities.” This development is designed to crack down on immigration benefit fraud, unauthorized services, and public safety threats, marking a fundamental transformation for USCIS from a benefits-only agency to one deeply involved in enforcement.

Alongside this, DHS released its 2025 Unified Agenda, outlining sweeping changes to both H-1B and employment-based visa programs. Expect to see new eligibility criteria for H-1B cap exemptions, tighter scrutiny on employer compliance, and revised evidentiary standards for green card applicants with extraordinary ability or those applying via national interest waivers. A particularly impactful timeline includes a proposed H-1B reform expected in December, and immigrant worker reform in early 2026.

On the employer side, the Department of Labor just launched “Project Firewall,” an enforcement drive targeting H-1B compliance. For the first time, the Secretary of Labor will personally certify certain fraud investigations, with penalties ranging from back-wage recovery to civil fines and possible barring of violators. Businesses employing foreign talent, especially universities and tech firms, should brace for greater oversight and are being urged to conduct compliance reviews immediately.

What does all this mean? For American citizens, the government aims for greater security and system integrity. For businesses and organizations, increased enforcement could slow hiring processes and heighten risk for non-compliance. State and local governments may see new partnerships or resource demands as federal enforcement expands on-the-ground investigations. Internationally, these U.S. policy signals may influence labor migration trends and could draw responses from countries supplying high-skilled talent.

USCIS assures that operational changes will be gradual with further guidance to stakeholders before key rules take effect. Interested listeners, especially employers and immigration advocates, are encouraged to review the DHS regulatory agenda and submit public comments on proposed rules—a key window for input opens in December.

Stay tuned for updates as DHS holds stakeholder briefings in November, and as new rules move forward. For more information, check the DHS website and subscribe to updates about immigration policy. And if you’re impacted by these changes or want to share feedback, watch for upcoming public comment opportunities.

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