In the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, the US immigration system has seen a wave of policy shifts that have left both lawyers and migrants grappling with uncertainty.
On one front, the controversial “EB-5” investor visa—often dubbed the “gold card”—has been revamped. The minimum investment threshold jumped to $1 million, and applicants must now prove stronger job-creation outcomes. Proponents say it channels international capital into booming US projects; opponents argue it sidelines smaller-scale applicants and widens inequality.
Simultaneously, tighter enforcement measures have taken hold. Government data reveal an uptick in removal orders and workplace raids, triggering renewed anxiety among green card holders. “Every day brings new questions about reentry and renewal,” notes a Washington-based immigration attorney, who estimates a 20 percent increase in client inquiries since January.
The ripple effects stretch across industries. Tech startups, universities and healthcare providers report growing talent gaps as long-term residents face longer processing times and stricter background checks. For global entrepreneurs weighing the US market, the shifting rules add fresh layers of risk to expansion plans.
Amid these rapid changes, migrants and their legal teams are racing against the clock to understand evolving guidelines. As the debate over who benefits from a two-tier system intensifies, one thing is clear: in this high-stakes game, adaptability and up-to-the-minute guidance have become more valuable than ever.
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Lawyers, migrants struggle under rapid changes in immigration system
cgtn.com
