Immigration Updates March 2026
California DMV Cancels or Reissues REAL IDs for Many Visa and Green Card Holders
The California Department of Motor Vehicles recently announced that approximately 325,000 REAL ID driver’s licenses and identification cards must be reissued due to an error affecting many non-U.S. citizens with lawful immigration status.
Individuals who receive a notice from the DMV should follow the instructions provided and may need to present updated documentation of their immigration status when obtaining a replacement ID.
Clients have reported mixed feedback from various California DMV offices, though many have reported that valid visas, in addition to valid passports and I-94’s are required to maintain REAL ID’s. If you do not currently have a valid visa and your REALID is revoked, don’t worry. Be sure to get a regular California drivers license, and plan to travel domestically within the U.S. with your valid passport in place of your REAL ID.
U.S. Embassy Closures and Service Suspensions Amid Middle East Conflict
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has led the U.S. Department of State to temporarily close or suspend routine operations at several U.S. embassies and diplomatic posts across the region due to security concerns and missile or drone attacks.
For example, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and its branch office in Tel Aviv temporarily suspended routine consular services, including visa processing, during periods of heightened security alerts.
In addition, the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait recently fully suspended operations, becoming one of the first diplomatic missions to close entirely during the latest escalation.
Other diplomatic posts have not fully closed but have reduced staffing or limited services, including partial evacuations of non-essential personnel from embassies in UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, and other regional locations due to security risks.
Kristi Noem Removed as Secretary of Homeland Security
On March 5, 2026, Kristi Noem was removed from her role as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security following mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including controversy surrounding immigration enforcement policies and scrutiny during recent congressional hearings.
President Donald Trump announced that he intends to nominate Markwayne Mullin, a Republican U.S. senator from Oklahoma, to replace her as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, pending Senate confirmation. Noem is expected to transition to a new diplomatic role as Special Envoy for the administration’s “Shield of the Americas” security initiative.
O-1 Processing Times
Processing times for O‑1 Visa petitions can vary depending on whether the case is filed with standard or premium processing. Under regular processing, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ published processing time (according to the USCIS.gov website) is 10.5 months, though most cases appear to be approved in 6-9 months. Timelines may be longer in complex cases or when additional evidence is requested.
Applicants who need a faster decision may request premium processing, which guarantees that USCIS will take action on the petition within 15 business days (3 weeks) for an additional government filing fee of $2,965. While premium processing significantly accelerates adjudication, it does not increase the likelihood of approval.
Increase in Premium Processing Filing Fees
The filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, increased on March 1, 2026, following an inflation adjustment authorized under federal law. For most employment-based petitions—including Form I-129 classifications such as O-1, H-1B, and L-1, as well as Form I-140 immigrant petitions—the premium processing fee increased from $2,805 to $2,965.
Premium processing remains an optional service that allows petitioners to request expedited adjudication within a set timeframe (often 15 business days).
Client Feature - Yaxin
We are beyond excited to share some wonderful news regarding one of our latest success stories. Huge congratulations are in order for Yaxin on her O-1 visa approval. Watching Yaxin’s career flourish as a top-tier intimacy coordinator in the cutting-edge realm of vertical short dramas has been nothing short of inspiring, and it was a genuine privilege to help her navigate the path to this milestone. Yaxin
Keeping Your Address Updated with USCIS
U.S. immigration law requires most non-citizens to notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of any change of address within 10 days of moving. The easiest way to do this is through your USCIS online account portal, where you can update your address and link the change to any pending applications so that case-related notices are sent to the correct location. You can find instructions for creating your USCIS Online Account HERE.
Individuals may also update their address by submitting Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, either online or by mail. Keeping your address current helps ensure that you receive important correspondence from USCIS, such as biometrics appointments, Requests for Evidence, or interview notices, and helps avoid delays or complications in pending immigration matters.
**Please note that only O-1 petitioners are able to see the status of O-1 cases through their portals. O-1 beneficiaries are NOT able to access O-1 case information through their USCIS online account.
Important Update to IRS Form 1040 for Green Card Holders
IRS updated Form 1040 to include a new, easily overlooked residency question in the top-right section of the first page. This small box asks about your residency in the United States, and reports indicate that many tax preparation software programs and self-preparers are currently missing this crucial detail.
For lawful permanent residents, leaving this box unchecked can have significant immigration implications. During naturalization applications and other case reviews, USCIS officers routinely verify continuous residence. An unchecked residency box could create the appearance of claiming non-resident status—even if it was an honest mistake. This can potentially raise questions about your continuous presence in the U.S. or even lead to accusations of abandoning your permanent residency.
As you prepare your taxes this season, we strongly encourage all green card holders to carefully review their Form 1040 and tax transcripts before filing. Ensure that this residency box is correctly checked to accurately reflect your time in the U.S. and prevent unnecessary complications in your future immigration processes. Thank you to Attorney John Q. Krosravi for bringing this to our attention!
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Join Our Livestream: Death by 1,000 Cuts – The Quiet Assault on Legal Immigration
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 AM PST for a live discussion about the actions that various government agencies are taking to make legal immigration more challenging - and frightening. Our attorneys will discuss several unprecedented actions taken against legal immigrants including green card and visa holders, as well as recent policy changes, processing delays, and other developments that impact legal immigrants.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and practical guidance.
📅 Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM PST
💻 Register/Watch: Register HERE
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