Policy Tracker

1. Oct 14
   In court

   DV-2027 green card lottery

   A federal judge ordered the State Department to run it. Registration must open November 1 for 30 days, with winners notified by December 3. The government appealed and asked to pause the order. The trial judge said no, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyers. The government is expected to ask the Ninth Circuit next.

   Next: State Department announcement due Oct 29

2. Oct 22
   Out now

   November Visa Bulletin

   Family dates for most of the world jumped about a year. Employment dates crept forward. Nothing went backward. Employment-based applicants use the Dates for Filing chart this month.

   Next: December bulletin, usually mid-November

3. Jun 23
   Proposed

   Citizenship fee nearly doubles

   DHS proposed raising the online N-400 fee from $710 to $1,280 and ending fee waivers and the reduced fee for low-income applicants. It’s a proposal, not law yet. Until a final rule is published, today’s fees apply.

   Next: final rule, date unknown

4. May 2026
   Watching

   Citizenship denials doubled

   The naturalization denial rate went from 8.3% in May 2024 to 18.1% in May 2026, and average processing stretched from about 6 months to about 10, according to an analysis of USCIS data by the National Foundation for American Policy.

   Next: USCIS quarterly data

5. Ongoing
   Scam alert

   Fake DV lottery “registration”

   Anyone offering early registration, guaranteed selection, or paid entry is lying. The only real site is dvprogram.state.gov, and entering is free. Always.

6. Ongoing
   Scam alert

   Notarios and “consultants”

   Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can give you immigration legal advice. A notary public can’t, whatever the sign says. These scams spike whenever immigration is in the news, and it’s in the news.

Last checked October 25, 2026 · How we verify