U.S. Immigration Update: Green Card Developments on September 4, 2025

Washington, D.C., September 4, 2025 - Two major announcements on green-card policy emerged today from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State.

USCIS Gains New Law-Enforcement Powers Late today, USCIS issued a final rule authorizing the agency to hire “special agents” with full federal law-enforcement authority, including the power to carry firearms, execute search and arrest warrants, and make arrests in cases of immigration fraud and other violations. Previously, USCIS adjudicators had no arrest authority, ceding enforcement to ICE and CBP. The new rule, published September 5 in the Federal Register, takes effect 30 days thereafter. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated the change will strengthen the agency’s ability to “uphold the integrity of our immigration system” and better support DHS law-enforcement partners.

EB-2 Green Card Issuance Halted Until Fiscal Year End Also today, the State Department confirmed that the EB-2 employment-based immigrant-visa category has reached its annual limit for FY 2025, meaning no new EB-2 green cards will be issued until October 1, 2025. U.S. consulates and USCIS adjustment-of-status offices will continue to accept filings for EB-2 cases with current priority dates, but approvals and visa issuances are on hold through September 30. Indian nationals, who already face lengthy backlogs in this category, will see further delays despite continued ability to file documentation.

Key Dates

• Final rule effective: October 5, 2025 (USCIS law-enforcement authority)
• EB-2 issuance resumes: October 1, 2025 (start of FY 2026)