USA immigration changes: week of 24 August 2026

US green card interviews abroad are on hold: State Department pauses immigrant visa interviews worldwide

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The US State Department has put immigrant visa interviews on hold at its posts around the world, reported in the week of 24 August 2026. This affects people waiting for a green card interview abroad, including family and employment-based applicants. No new interview date is promised while the pause lasts, so applicants should expect longer waits.

Reported in the news. The US government hasn’t published it yet, so check the linked report before you rely on it.

Reported by washingtonpost.com: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/08/26/state-dept-pauses-immigrant-visa-appointments-worldwide-says-staff-need-training/

Birthright citizenship order can go ahead for now: US judge refuses to block it

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On 28 August 2026 a United States federal judge declined to grant an injunction that would have stopped the new executive order on birthright citizenship from being applied. This is a court decision only: it can be appealed, and it is not itself a change to any published immigration rule. It matters to people on temporary visas, such as students and workers, whose children are born in the United States.

This is a court decision, not a change to the rules. It may be appealed, and the authority may not have changed what it publishes. Nothing to act on yet.

Reported in the news. The US government hasn’t published it yet, so check the linked report before you rely on it.

Reported by aljazeera.com: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/28/us-judge-denies-injunction-against-trumps-new-birthright-citizenship-order

Lose your job on a US work visa and you may have to leave at once: US proposes ending the 60-day grace period

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On 11 September 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security published a proposal to end the grace period of up to 60 days that some work-visa holders get after their job ends, to find a new job or leave. It would affect H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, TN, E-1, E-2 and E-3 workers and their families. If it becomes law, these workers would generally be out of status the day after their job ends, unless they have another reason to stay. It is only a proposal. The 60 days still apply today, and the public can comment until 10 November 2026.

This is an announcement, not a law. Nothing has changed yet, announced plans are often changed or dropped, and there is nothing to apply under until it is in force.

Official source: Eliminating the Discretionary 60-Day Grace Period (Federal Register, 11 September 2026)