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Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Tag: visa
September 26, 2025
Immigration

Trump Admin Restricts Immigrants’ Access to Commercial Driver’s Licenses.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced new rules to tighten requirements for issuing commercial driver’s licenses, aiming to restrict access for migrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sean Duffy, the Transportation Department (DOT), and states such as California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The new rule was announced on Friday and is effective immediately across the United States.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “California has 30 days to comply with the new regulations, or my department will withhold federal highway funds starting at nearly $160 million,” said Sean Duffy.

🎯IMPACT: The rule closes loopholes, enforces immigration checks, and pressures states to comply with federal regulations on issuing commercial licenses.

IN FULL

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced new rules for issuing commercial driver’s licenses that seek to make it more difficult for immigrants to acquire the licenses. The Transportation Department, on Friday, stated that the new rule—”effective immediately”—is a response to an ongoing nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and “a recent series of horrific, fatal crashes caused by non-domiciled drivers.”

One notable incident involved an illegal immigrant truck driver last month in Florida. The driver, holding a commercial driver’s license from California, caused a fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike. The semi-truck’s trailer jackknifed during an unauthorized U-turn, leading to a collision that killed three occupants of a minivan.

The new rule mandates enforcement action against California for “gross negligence,” with the state given 30 days to comply or face withheld federal highway funds starting at $160 million. Sean Duffy also ordered California to halt issuing commercial licenses to immigrants and to identify non-compliant, unexpired licenses.

Immigrants will now be required to have an employment-based visa and undergo federal immigration checks through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system.

“California has 30 days to comply with the new regulations, or my department will withhold federal highway funds starting at nearly $160 million,” Duffy said.

Additional states, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington, have also failed to meet federal standards on issuing such licenses, according to the department. Duffy emphasized the nationwide impact of California’s licensing practices, as drivers often operate across state lines.

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September 25, 2025
William Upton
Immigration

H-1B Migrants Are Being Used to Fill DEI Jobs.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has revealed that a number of American companies are abusing the H-1B visa program to fill diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) jobs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Eric Schmitt, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), American companies, and H-1B visa applicants.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Schmitt revealed his office’s findings on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “[I]n light of everything we know about DEI, it’s alarming that American employers appear to be importing foreign workers to work in these roles—placing non-Americans in positions where they are tasked with policing the speech and thought of our own citizens.” — Sen. Eric Schmitt

🎯IMPACT: Schmitt is requesting USCIS issue guidance “clarifying that positions relating to DEI… do not qualify as H-1B specialty occupations” and “conduct a focused review of approvals… to identify DEI-tagged cases and take appropriate corrective action.”

IN FULL

United States Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has revealed that a number of American companies are abusing the H-1B visa program to fill diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) jobs. The revelation is especially egregious as some progressive political figures have justified DEI programs and employment as a means to lift up so-called “marginalized” ethnic minority Americans.

“This is outrageous. Some U.S. companies are using H-1B visas to staff their DEI offices,” Sen. Schmitt wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I’ve reviewed numerous examples of hospitals, universities and other employers hiring foreign H-1B workers as DEI bureaucrats. I’m urging USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] to work with us to fix this.”

The Missouri Republican says his office has obtained and reviewed a number of H-1B visa requests filed by American employers to fill DEI roles. Schmitt notes, “For example, Yale New Haven Health filed Labor Condition Applications (LCA) for H-1B visas for the role of ‘Diversity and Inclusion Specialist’ in 2021.” Other academic institutions, according to the Senator, have filed similar visa requests for DEI positions, including Carnegie Mellon University and Dartmouth College.

However, the H-1B to DEI office pipeline isn’t just isolated to higher academia: “Examples range from large banks and law firms to universities, healthcare systems, and even municipal park districts,” Sen. Schmitt states. “Obviously, DEI positions are plainly non-technical and ideological in nature, and appear to fall outside the ‘specialty occupation’ intent of the H-1B statute.”

“More to the point, in light of everything we know about DEI, it’s alarming that American employers appear to be importing foreign workers to work in these roles—placing non-Americans in positions where they are tasked with policing the speech and thought of our own citizens,” Schmitt warns.

Following his office’s investigation, the Missouri Senator is requesting USCIS issue guidance “clarifying that positions relating to DEI… do not qualify as H-1B specialty occupations” and “provide my office with a full report and a briefing on approved H-1B petitions in DEI-tagged roles for FY2021–FY2024.” Additionally, Schmitt is asking USCIS to “conduct a focused review of approvals over the aforementioned time period to identify DEI-tagged cases and take appropriate corrective action.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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September 12, 2025
Immigration
News

State Dept Bars Entry to Foreigners Glorifying Violence, Hatred After Kirk Assassination.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The State Department says it will take action against foreign visa holders and visa applicants who “glorify violence and hatred” in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, foreign visa holders and applicants, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The assassination occurred on Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, with the State Department visa warning issued on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. State Department has directed consular officials to take appropriate action against foreigners praising or rationalizing the event.

IN FULL

The State Department has issued a strong statement to those seeking immigrant visas following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, warning that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome” in the United States.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau addressed the matter in a Thursday post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”

He further added, “I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the [State Department] can protect the American people.”

The politically-motivated assassination occurred on Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where 22-year-old Tyler Robinson allegedly shot Kirk from approximately 200 yards away using a high-powered rifle. Kirk, 31, was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

President Donald J. Trump announced early Friday morning that Robinson had been taken into custody by law enforcement. The 22-year-old will be arraigned in a Utah court next Tuesday. He is set to face charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.

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September 8, 2025
Economy
Immigration

Trump Moves to Deport Hundreds of Korean Illegal Workers.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Trump administration officials will deport 300 South Korean migrants who were working illegally at a taxpayer-funded construction site in Georgia.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), South Korean workers, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Energy Solution Ltd., and Border Czar Tom Homan.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The arrests occurred at a construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, where a factory funded by over $1 billion in government aid is being built.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “These companies that hire illegal aliens, they undercut the competition of paying U.S. citizen salaries,” said Tom Homan.

🎯IMPACT: The deportations are expected to delay Hyundai’s construction project and highlight the ongoing issue of illegal labor undercutting American wages.

IN FULL

The Trump administration will move to deport an estimated 300 South Korean illegal immigrants found to be working illegally at a Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution Ltd. factory construction site in Ellabell, Georgia. The arrests, which took place on Thursday, saw over 500 people detained, including 23 Mexicans in addition to the South Koreans. According to the Trump administration, those detained at the facility—which received $1 billion in U.S. taxpayer funding—either lacked proper immigrant work visas, had expired work visas, or were working despite only holding non-work visas.

The Hyundai immigration raid and arrests sparked a diplomatic row with South Korea’s government, and pushback from pro-illegal immigrant labor advocates like the CATO Institute, who argue it is economically desirable to replace American workers with cheap foreign labor. Trump White House Border Czar Tom Homan emphasized the economic impact of such hiring practices, stating, “These companies that hire illegal aliens, they undercut the competition of paying U.S. citizen salaries.”

Homan also shared his personal experience, saying, “I had to call five different companies before I had a company that guaranteed me a legal workforce. I talked to one company, just a father and son, who laid off 20 citizen employees because they couldn’t afford—they couldn’t win a bid, because the competition were bidding a lot less for a job because they were paying their employees a lot less to work because they’re illegally in the United States.”

The South Korean workers reportedly entered the U.S. using B-1/B-2 tourist/business visas or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) waivers. Hyundai, a repeat violator of labor rules, is expected to face delays and increased costs as it replaces the deported workers with American labor. The arrests are part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws and prioritize high-skill, high-productivity sectors in the U.S. economy.

Hyundai has faced scrutiny before for labor violations, including the use of child labor in Alabama factories. Corporate executives often shield themselves from accountability by outsourcing hiring to third-party staffing agencies. Despite pushback from pro-illegal immigrant labor advocates, the Trump administration has emphasized the importance of enforcing laws to protect American workers and wages.

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August 27, 2025
NatSec

Researcher Accused of Stealing From Cancer Center for China.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A Chinese cancer researcher was charged with stealing trade secrets for China, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Yunhai Li, a 35-year-old research scholar at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and U.S. law enforcement agencies.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The charges were filed on Monday in Harris County, Texas. The alleged theft occurred earlier this year at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have zero tolerance for any attempts that hurt our nation and our community’s ability to pioneer critical medical breakthroughs.” — Sean Teare, Harris County District Attorney.

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights concerns about intellectual property theft and national security risks within U.S. research institutions.

IN FULL

Yunhai Li, a 35-year-old Chinese national and cancer researcher, has been charged with theft of trade secrets and tampering with government records, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Li, who had been a researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2022, is accused of attempting to steal cancer-related research and transfer it to China.

Li was in the U.S. on a Department of State research exchange scholar visa, with his work funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD). He reportedly uploaded nearly completed research on a vaccine to prevent breast cancer from spreading to a Chinese server, Baidu, before abruptly quitting his position on July 1.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), intercepted Li at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on July 9. They found unpublished research, trade secrets, and confidential files stored on a laptop linked to the Chinese server. Prosecutors allege that Li also conducted undisclosed research for Chongqing Medical University, violating his non-disclosure agreements.

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare stated, “Houston is proudly home to some of the most groundbreaking medical institutions in the world—publicly funded centers that are saving lives each day thanks to their innovative research. We have zero tolerance for any attempts that hurt our nation and our community’s ability to pioneer critical medical breakthroughs.”

Li was arrested and later released on a $5,100 bond after surrendering his passport. He allegedly told police he stole the research because he felt it was his right and that it was “going to waste.” Federal prosecutors may also pursue charges against Li.

The arrest comes as President Donald J. Trump has said his administration plans to double the number of Chinese students studying in the United States. It is unclear whether the Trump White House, especially Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is championing the visa expansion, has adequately weighed the national security implications of such a move.

Image via China News Service.

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August 22, 2025
Immigration

Trump Targets Comprehensive Review of All 55 MILLION Visa Holders.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has announced plans to review the status of all 55 million foreign nationals in the U.S. holding valid visas, initiating a “continuous vetting” process aimed at identifying security threats and individuals supporting terrorism.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Trump administration.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announced on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance.” – Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

🎯IMPACT: The new policy will include a “continuous vetting” process for all 55 million foreign nationals who hold valid visas in the United States.

IN FULL

The Trump administration says it will soon implement a “continuous vetting” process for all foreign nationals in the U.S. holding valid visas. The policy, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to identify legal immigrants who pose security risks or are involved in activities such as supporting terrorism.

“Things like any indicators of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization” will serve as cause for visa revocation under the new policy, according to the State Department. The agency added: “We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance.”

The State Department highlighted that since the beginning of Trump’s second term, it has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, compared to the same period last year. The administration has also targeted visa applicants for potential ties to anti-American or terrorist groups, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) monitoring foreign nationals participating in campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Secretary Rubio has also announced additional measures, including a halt on worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, citing concerns over road safety and the impact on American truckers. “Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers,” Rubio wrote on X, adding that the move was necessary to protect American lives and livelihoods.

This follows the killing of three people by an illegal immigrant truck driver in Florida.

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August 20, 2025
Immigration
News

Trump Has Paused Visas for This African Country.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has paused most visa processing in Zimbabwe due to concerns about the Zimbabwean government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Embassy in Harare, the Government of Zimbabwe, and affected visa applicants.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The visa pause took effect in August 2025.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “We have paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe.” – U.S. Embassy in Harare

🎯IMPACT: Students and other visa applicants are facing delays, with some unable to afford alternative options for interviews in neighboring countries.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has halted the majority of its visa services in Zimbabwe, citing undisclosed issues with the country’s government. In a statement released August 20, the U.S. Embassy in Harare confirmed, “We have paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe.”

Formerly known as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe heavily persecuted its white minority under former leader Robert Mugabe, although his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has made some steps towards compensating white farmers after their dispossession and mass exodus caused an agricultural and economic collapse.

According to the U.S. State Department, the visa suspension, which took effect on August 7, affects nearly all categories of visa applications, with the exception of most diplomatic and official visas. This move is likely part of a broader effort by the United States to address issues related to visa overstays and abuse of immigration processes. A report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that Zimbabwe had a visa overstay rate of 10.57 percent in 2023, one of the highest among African nations.

In response to similar issues elsewhere on the continent, the Trump administration is requiring financial bonds of up to $15,000 for certain visa applicants from countries like Malawi and Zambia.

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July 18, 2025
Economy
Immigration

The Trump Admin Wants to Change H-1B Visa Immigration.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is considering changes to the H-1B visa system, including a potential “weighted selection process” for applicants. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed notice of a possible change with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Thursday, the filing provided no further details.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and President Donald J. Trump.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The filing was made on Thursday with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

🎯IMPACT: Changes could prioritize highly skilled workers, though details remain unclear, and the rule is unlikely to affect next year’s visa holders.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is exploring changes to the H-1B visa system, which is heavily used by the tech industry to employ foreign labor, usually at far lower wages than their American counterparts. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed a notice with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, proposing a “weighted selection process” for applicants under the capped portion of the program. The filing, however, provides no further details as to how the new system would function.

The H-1B visa has faced increased scrutiny, with some supporters of President Donald J. Trump pushing for stricter immigration rules. Meanwhile, figures like former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk and others in the tech industry have defended the program. Critics argue that the current lottery system disproportionately benefits larger companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, and leaves American workers at a disadvantage, having to compete with cheap foreign labor.

While the statutory cap for H-1B visas is set at 85,000 per year, the proposed changes could alter this limit. Any potential increase in the cap—which is already circumvented through a number of regulatory exceptions—would likely be met with intense backlash from the America First movement. The DHS filing, however, provided little detail about how the weighted selection process would work. Currently, visas are allocated randomly through a lottery system, which does not prioritize applicants based on qualifications or salary.

The National Pulse reported in May that the replacement of native-born American workers with cheap foreign labor remains unabated despite strong public opinion against the policy. While the total approvals for 2026 are lower than the peak years under the former Biden government, data shows 120,141 H-1B visas have been accepted for the next year. This is about equivalent to the total number of H-1Bs approved for 2021, cleared during the final year of President Trump’s first term in office.

While no specific deadline was included in the filing, the rule is unlikely to impact next year’s visa holders, as the program has already reached its capacity for the current cycle.

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June 26, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Trump Is Launching a Visa Crackdown on Fentanyl Traffickers’ Families.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions aimed at combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and law enforcement agencies.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announced Thursday, June 26, 2025, with actions spanning across the United States and its borders.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Today’s action expands upon existing tools… to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs from entering the United States and harming U.S. citizens.” – Marco Rubio.

🎯IMPACT: The sanctions aim to disrupt drug trafficking networks, reduce fentanyl-related deaths, and bolster national security.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced new sanctions on Thursday targeting the flow of fentanyl into the United States. The policy includes visa restrictions on family members and close associates of foreign drug traffickers. Rubio described the measures as “necessary” to “deter and dismantle” the deadly drug trade.

State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott explained that the sanctions “will not only prevent them from entering the United States, but also serve as a deterrent for continued illicit activities.” Rubio emphasized the urgency of addressing the fentanyl crisis, noting that overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44.

“More than 40 percent of Americans reportedly know someone who has died from an opioid overdose,” Rubio stated, adding that the U.S. averages over 220 overdose deaths daily. The CDC reported that fentanyl was linked to 48,422 deaths in 2024 alone.

Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted a major fentanyl bust earlier this year, where authorities seized over 400 kilos of fentanyl and arrested 16 individuals, including six illegal immigrants. Bondi described fentanyl as a weapon of “mass destruction” and issued a stern warning to traffickers, stating, “When we catch you… we will put you behind bars for as long as humanly possible.”

The new sanctions and law enforcement efforts build on President Donald J. Trump’s initiatives to combat fentanyl trafficking through increased border security and targeting cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). According to the Center for Immigration Studies, fentanyl seizures at the southern border have dropped significantly, signaling a potential decline in smuggling activities.

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