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Dear Readers,

Welcome back to NawLaw News, where we bring you updates and announcements from the Firm, as well as the latest news in the rapidly changing U.S. immigration world. With President Trump’s second term, there’s no been no shortage of activity, including frequent policy changes and ongoing legal battles. Let’s get you caught up!

Trump Administration is Reviewing All 55 Million Foreigners with US Visas for Any Violations

The Trump administration has launched an expansive review of all 55 million U.S. visa holders to detect potential violations that could prompt visa revocation or deportation. This "continuous vetting" applies to all categories—including tourists, students, and temporary workers—and looks for issues like overstays, criminal activity, or security risks, based on State Department directives. A notable expansion includes evaluating social media activity and requiring applicants to unlock electronic devices during visa interviews. Additionally, the administration has halted issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing concerns about public safety and protecting American truckers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the move regarding truck drivers aims to bolster U.S. supply chains and safeguard domestic labor. Overall, this marks a significant escalation in immigration enforcement that broadens scrutiny beyond undocumented immigrants to visa holders considered lawful.

Trump Admin Expands ‘Good Moral Character’ Test for U.S. Citizenship Applicants to Root-Out Anti-Americanism

In August 2025, the Trump administration directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adopt a more expansive and subjective interpretation of the “good moral character” requirement for naturalization. Under the new guidelines, USCIS officers are instructed to look beyond the absence of criminal behavior and evaluate whether applicants demonstrate positive community contributions and alignment with “American values.” This includes assessing social media activity, public statements, and affiliations that may reflect antisemitism, anti-Americanism, or other ideological red flags—even if such views are legally protected. USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser defended the policy, stating that citizenship should be reserved for “the world’s best of the best,” highlighting a focus on ideological and moral alignment with U.S. norms. Critics argue the approach opens the door to political or cultural bias, enabling immigration officers to deny citizenship based on subjective interpretations of an applicant’s beliefs or affiliations. Legal experts warn that this could chill free speech and penalize lawful dissent, reflecting a broader effort by the administration to introduce ideological vetting into the U.S. immigration system.

Appeals Court Panel Clears Way for Trump Admin to End TPS for Hondurans, Nepalis, and Nicaraguans

A federal appeals court has granted the Trump administration the go‑ahead to end TPS protections and work authorization for over 63,000 individuals from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal, effectively reversing a lower court’s pause on the policy. The unanimous decision from the Ninth Circuit does not include a detailed rationale, but it lifts the injunction imposed by U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson, who had previously extended TPS through at least November 18 while questioning the motives behind the revocations on racial grounds. As a result, TPS coverage for Nepalese nationals will lapse as of August 5, and protections for Hondurans and Nicaraguans will expire on September 8, unless the courts act again. Immigration advocates denounced the ruling as harsh and disruptive, noting that many of the affected individuals have lived legally in the U.S. for decades and have U.S.-born children. In response, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department welcomed the appeals court’s decision, framing TPS as a temporary humanitarian measure not intended to become permanent. The administration now looks to proceed with ending these protections even as the legal battle continues in lower courts.

Florida Must Stop Expanding ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Center, Judge Says

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction ordering the shutdown of "Alligator Alcatraz"—a controversial migrant detention center built in the Florida Everglades—on the grounds that it violated federal environmental laws by being constructed hastily in a sensitive wetland area without proper assessments. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, mandates the transfer of current detainees within 60 days, bars new admissions, and requires the removal of temporary infrastructure such as fencing, lighting, and generators, while also allowing for repairs aimed at improving safety or mitigating environmental damage. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, plaintiffs in the case, argued that the facility harmed endangered species habitats and interfered with tribal lands; they heralded the court decision as a crucial victory for conservation and tribal sovereignty. In contrast, Florida officials, including Governor DeSantis and his administration, responded by filing an appeal, maintaining that the state operated the facility independently of federal jurisdiction and that environmental laws did not apply. Originally built at the Dade‑Collier Training and Transition Airport, the center became a political symbol when President Trump toured it and praised it as a possible model for future immigration detention efforts. As legal battles continue, the case underscores growing tension between aggressive immigration enforcement initiatives and obligations to protect fragile ecosystems and civil rights.

ICE Ordered to Improve NYC Immigration Holding Facility After Complaints of Inhumane Conditions

A federal judge, responding to a lawsuit filed on behalf of detainees held at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, has issued a temporary restraining order requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to make immediate improvements to inhumane conditions. The ruling mandates that detainees be allocated at least 50 square feet of space each, and that the overcrowded hold rooms—which were previously housing dozens of people tightly packed together—be reduced accordingly. The court further ordered regular sanitation of the facility three times daily, provision of basic hygiene supplies and sleeping mats, and accommodation for private legal telephone calls. Evidence presented included cellphone footage and firsthand accounts describing strong odors, open toilets, inedible food, lack of soap and toothbrushes, and inadequate menstrual supplies. While government attorneys acknowledged that some complaints were valid, they also indicated plans to appeal the order, even as operations continue. Advocacy organizations welcomed the ruling as a necessary step toward ensuring humane treatment and continued pressing for the permanent closure of the facility.

H-1B Lottery to End, White House Approves Big Immigration Overhaul Plan

The White House has cleared a significant proposal from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to eliminate the current lottery-based selection process for H‑1B visas. Instead, these visas would be awarded through a “Weighted Selection Process” that prioritizes applicants based on skill level, experience, and offered salary. The regulation, titled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap‑Subject H‑1B Petitions, has passed statutory review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as of August 8, 2025. This reform echoes a similar Trump-era initiative that aimed to rank applicants by wage levels, starting from the highest—based on Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)—downward. If no legal challenges succeed, the policy could take effect by March 2026, just before the Fiscal Year 2027 H‑1B cap selection. The shift represents a move toward a merit-based system designed to favor higher-paid and more skilled foreign workers.

Exciting Events at NawLaw: Stay Informed and Engaged!

It Was Our NawLaw Intern Alexandra’s Last Week with us! We Thank Her for the Time and Contributions She Made to Our Team and We Can’t Wait For Her to Come Back!

Congratulations to our NawLaw Clients who’ve Received their Green Cards and Work Permits! 🎉 

We’re so proud to be part of your journey and celebrate this huge milestone with you!

Here’s to new beginnings and endless opportunities!

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The U.S. is tightening immigration screenings! Green Card applicants will face stricter checks for anti-American, terrorist, or antisemit... See more

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Married immigrants face possible deportation under new guidance; 2.4M green card petitions pending. Judge orders NYC ICE facility to impro... See more

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