DHS Moves Towards Finalizing Nonimmigrant Visa Proposal
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have taken significant strides in finalizing a proposed rule that aims to establish fixed-term admissions and extensions for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors, and media representatives. After gathering public comments for roughly seven months, ICE submitted the final draft of this rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) on May 5, 2026. OIRA’s review process, which can last anywhere from days to weeks, is the final step before the rule becomes official.
Length of Stay for Nonimmigrant Visa Holders Set at Four Years
Under the proposed rule, students holding F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant visas would be limited to a maximum stay of four years. The first Trump administration introduced a similar rule in 2020, which was later rescinded under the Biden administration. Further insights into this proposal have been provided by reporter Larkin Dykstra.
NLRB General Counsel Takes Steps to Address Case Backlog
Amid reports of approximately 17,000 unresolved unfair labor practice cases, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is actively working to resolve this backlog. This week, General Counsel Crystal Carey announced the transfer of 3,500 cases from overburdened regional offices to those better equipped to handle them efficiently. Earlier initiatives this year aimed to streamline case processing by ensuring that essential information is gathered at the time of the initial complaint.
Legislation on Expedited Labor Contracts Faces Challenges
This week, with the U.S. House of Representatives on recess, momentum has stalled for the Speedy Labor Contracts Act, a Democratic bill that seeks to impose artificial deadlines for collective bargaining between employers and unions. Furthermore, the legislation would empower government officials to set contract terms if parties cannot reach an agreement within the designated timeframe. With House Republican leaders opposing the bill, Democrats are urging at least 218 members to sign a petition that could initiate a floor vote. Currently, 199 members, all from the Democratic Party, have expressed support. The petition requires signatures from six Republicans and the remaining 13 Democrats, although the number of House members fluctuates. Notably, a companion bill in the Senate has garnered 16 co-sponsors, including three Republicans: Josh Hawley, Bernie Moreno, and Roger Marshall.
DOL Withdraws Defense of Overtime Regulations
This week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) withdrew its defense of overtime regulations established during the Biden administration. This rule aimed to raise the overtime exemption threshold under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to $58,656 annually, effective January 1, 2025. However, two federal district courts in Texas blocked the rule in late 2024. The Trump administration had appealed one of these rulings as a fallback strategy but has now ceased defense of the regulation. Consequently, the existing 2019 regulation, which sets the salary threshold at $35,568 per year, remains enforced. Looking ahead, recent regulatory agendas indicate that alterations to FLSA overtime standards are categorized as a long-term objective.
USCIS Resumes Processing Benefits for Select Doctors
In an important development, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has resumed processing benefits applications, such as visa and work permit renewals, for doctors from specific countries. This suspension stemmed from a policy memorandum issued in late 2025 and early 2026 that called for a comprehensive review of benefit application processes for individuals from countries affected by the December 2025 travel ban expansion initiated by President Donald Trump. In light of a growing shortage of medical professionals in the U.S., the USCIS updated its website to confirm that holds on physicians’ applications have been lifted.
House Passes Bill Easing Food Preparation Regulations in Child Care
This week, the House of Representatives approved a bill that aims to reduce regulatory barriers for child care providers concerning the preparation of food. Sponsored by Democratic Rep. Marie Grusenkamp Perez from Washington, this legislation was included as an amendment to the Agriculture, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill.” Specifically, HR 1889 would eliminate state regulations that currently prohibit child care providers from peeling bananas or cutting raw vegetables, categorizing these activities as “food preparation,” which complicates compliance with public health standards. According to Rep. Grusenkamp Perez, such regulations push child care centers toward packaged foods instead of fresh produce. The new bill seeks to ensure that states receiving federal child care subsidies cannot impose barriers to preparing fresh fruits and vegetables in licensed or unlicensed facilities.
