Immigration News Roundup: H-1B Wage Lottery Begins, Florida Freezes University Visas, and More

It has been a pivotal week in U.S. immigration. From a historic change to how H-1B visas are awarded to a state-level hiring freeze that could reshape university research, here is everything you need to know.

H-1B Registration Window Closes March 19

The FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period opened on March 4 and closes at noon Eastern on March 19, 2026. If you are an employer or prospective H-1B worker, the deadline is days away.

This year marks a seismic shift. USCIS has replaced the random lottery with a wage-weighted selection system. Instead of every registration getting an equal shot, the number of lottery entries now corresponds to the Department of Labor wage level of the offered position:

• Wage Level IV: 4 entries (approximately 61% selection probability)
• Wage Level III: 3 entries
• Wage Level II: 2 entries
• Wage Level I: 1 entry (approximately 15% selection probability)

The goal, according to DHS, is to "better protect American workers" by favoring higher-skilled and higher-paid positions while still allowing employers at all wage levels to participate.

What This Means for Employers

If you have not yet submitted your registrations, act now. Each registration costs $215, and USCIS expects to send selection notifications by March 31. Selected employers will then have a 90-day filing window beginning April 1.

One critical warning: USCIS has stated it may deny or revoke petitions where employers inflated wage levels to improve selection odds and later reduced the actual salary. Accuracy in your registration is essential.

Florida Freezes H-1B Hiring at Public Universities

On March 2, the Florida Board of Governors approved an eight-month pause on new H-1B visa hires at all public colleges and universities. The freeze runs until January 5, 2027, making Florida the second state after Texas to enact such a ban.

The move affects new hires of faculty, researchers, and medical residents. More than 600 H-1B workers were employed across Florida's public university system last fiscal year, with the University of Florida alone employing 253.

Key Details

• Current H-1B holders are exempt. Existing employees can remain, and their visas can be renewed during the pause.
• The chancellor's office will study the use and costs of H-1B visas at public institutions during the freeze.
• Governor DeSantis stated the goal is to "make sure our citizens here in Florida are first in line for job opportunities."

This has significant implications for STEM research programs that rely heavily on international talent. Universities may struggle to fill specialized positions in fields like engineering, computer science, and medical research where qualified domestic candidates are scarce.

March 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 Moves Forward

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin brought meaningful forward movement across several employment-based categories. The most notable advances:

• EB-2 for All Chargeability Areas saw significant advancement in Dates for Filing.
• EB-2 Mexico and Philippines also moved forward substantially.
• Most employment-based categories saw advancement in the Dates for Filing chart.

USCIS confirmed that applicants in all family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories should use the Dates for Filing chart for March 2026, allowing more applicants to file adjustment of status applications.

If you have been waiting to file your green card application, check the updated bulletin to see if your priority date is now current.

Federal Judge Blocks Immigration Appeals Overhaul

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to overhaul how migrants appeal immigration court decisions. The proposed rule would have reduced the time immigrants have to file appeals from 30 days to just 10, and would have required summary dismissal of appeals unless a majority of the Board of Immigration Appeals' 15 permanent members voted to accept a case for review within 10 days.

Judge Randolph D. Moss ruled that the administration failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act's notice-and-comment requirements before implementing the policy.

TPS Terminated for Yemen

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen on February 13. Yemen's TPS designation and related benefits will end on May 4, 2026. Current TPS holders have until that date to find alternative immigration status. Yemeni nationals affected by this change should consult with an immigration attorney to explore their options.

H-2B Visa Cap Reached

USCIS announced it has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 18,490 H-2B visas made available for the first allocation of returning workers in fiscal year 2026. Employers who filed H-2B petitions should check their USCIS accounts for status updates.

What Should You Do This Week?

1. H-1B employers: submit registrations before the March 19 noon deadline.
2. EB-2 and EB-3 applicants: check the March Visa Bulletin, as your priority date may now be current.
3. Florida university employees: if you hold an H-1B, your current status is safe, but plan ahead for renewals.
4. Yemen TPS holders: consult an attorney about alternative status options before the May 4 deadline.