Policy Update: 10/08/26
Government pauses green card process for Microsoft and Adobe
What’s happening
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that it will not accept new or process pending permanent labor certification applications involving Microsoft and Adobe.
This certification is a step many employers must complete to help a worker get an employment-based green card.
The administration says the companies abused immigration programs and replaced American workers with foreign workers.
These are the government’s accusations, not findings established in court by the reporting reviewed.
The action concerns a green card process; it does not announce the cancellation of every current H-1B visa.
Why it matters
A worker’s path to permanent residency can depend on their employer. Pausing this process could leave affected workers and their families waiting longer and unsure about their future.
Protecting workers should include fair wages and treatment for both American and immigrant workers.
Impact
Affected workers may face longer waits while the labor certification process is paused.
Delays could make it harder to plan for housing, children’s education, and long-term employment.
The effect depends on the employer and the worker’s stage in the immigration process. The reports do not establish that every worker must stop working or leave the country.
Sources
The Guardian: “Microsoft suspended from applying for green cards for H-1B workers, JD Vance says”
Bloomberg: “US Suspends Visa Program for Tech Firms Including Microsoft”
DHS proposes very high fees for international student work permits
What’s happening
The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, has proposed new fees for Optional Practical Training, known as OPT.
OPT lets eligible international students work in jobs related to their studies during or after school.
Under the proposal, schools would pay:
$70,000 for a student’s initial participation.
$30,000 for an extension or additional participation.
Students currently pay about $500 to apply. DHS recognizes schools may pass the proposed cost to students or employers.
These fees are proposed, not yet a final rule in effect.
Why it matters to us
International students often invest years and significant money in their education. A high fee could make it harder for them to gain work experience and use their education in the United States.The proposal could also affect colleges and employers that rely on international students and graduates.
Impact
Schools may be unable or unwilling to pay, leaving students with fewer work options.
If costs are passed along, students with fewer financial resources could face the greatest barriers.
Education groups warn that restricting OPT could hurt hiring, research, and innovation.
Sources
TIME: “Trump Administration Proposes $70K Fee for International Students to Work in U.S.”
POLITICO: “DHS proposes $70K fee for international student work program”
ICE holding people at a New Jersey warehouse
What’s happening
Reports indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has used a warehouse property in Roxbury, New Jersey, to hold detained people.
A witness reported that agents held him and others, handcuffed, in the parking lot for several hours before transferring them elsewhere. Other accounts described people being held inside.
A court order restricts converting the warehouse into a detention center while environmental reviews are pending. Advocates argue that holding people there violates the order, but a legal expert says the order’s wording may leave room for dispute.
Why it matters
Families need to know where detained loved ones are being held. Lawyers also need that information to provide legal help. The report raises concerns about government transparency, safe conditions, and oversight of places used to hold people.
Impact
Unclear holding locations can make it harder for families and lawyers to find people.
Temporary holding sites raise questions about medical care, basic needs, and access to legal help.
Community fear after local raids, including people avoiding public places.
Sources
NPR: “ICE has quietly used this warehouse as a detention facility all summer, neighbors say”
Trump administration considers using ships for deportations
What’s happening
The Trump administration is discussing using ships and ferries to deport immigrants to Central and South America.
Possible destinations include El Salvador and Venezuela. The trips could take days and cost millions of dollars.
Officials have identified possible vessels, including the Training Ship Golden Bear, a maritime academy ship docked in California.
However, a Department of Homeland Security official said the discussions are preliminary, the plan is hypothetical, and no decisions have been made.
This is not an announced deportation program already in operation.
Why it matters
Using ships could mean people spend days at sea while being removed from the United States. This raises questions about safety, medical care, communication with families, and access to legal help. The discussions also raise questions about how public money would be spent and which agencies would be responsible for transporting and caring for people.
Impact
Deportation by sea could involve days of travel rather than hours. The exact routes and conditions have not been established in the reporting reviewed.
If the plan moves forward, officials would need to explain how they would provide medical care, food, sanitation, and emergency assistance.
A ship-based process could make communication with families and attorneys more difficult. These are potential concerns, not confirmed outcomes.
The Times reports that the plan could shift some deportation costs from DHS to the Defense Department. It remains unclear why officials are considering ships despite the expense and logistical challenges.
This report does not announce new grounds for deportation or change an individual’s immigration status. Community members should not assume they will be deported by ship based on these discussions.
Sources
The New York Times: “Trump Administration Considers Using Ships to Deport Immigrants”
This update is general information, not legal advice. Possible impacts are not guaranteed outcomes. These reports do not establish a new Mississippi-specific policy change.
