Story perspectives

Homeland Security proposes ending USCIS H-1B renewal deference

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 2:34 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Department of Homeland Security proposes ending USCIS deference to prior H-1B renewals, requiring fresh review.
Roughly 208,000 extensions are filed each year, about 75% of which are H-1B visas.
It covers Form I-129 extensions for H-1B, H-2A/B, L-1, O-1, P, R-1, TN and E visas.
Lawyers warn of RFEs while Vice President JD Vance halted H-1B green card processing.

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Story summary

Department of Homeland Security proposes ending USCIS deference to prior H-1B renewals, requiring fresh review.
Roughly 208,000 extensions are filed each year, about 75% of which are H-1B visas.
It covers Form I-129 extensions for H-1B, H-2A/B, L-1, O-1, P, R-1, TN and E visas.
Lawyers warn of RFEs while Vice President JD Vance halted H-1B green card processing.