What’s New in Immigration This Spring—and Why It Matters If You’re Sponsoring Family or Applying for Citizenship
If you’re in the middle of sponsoring a family member for a green card or thinking about applying for U.S. citizenship, recent immigration policy updates could affect your case—even if things seem like they’re “already in motion.” Here’s what you need to know from the April 2025 immigration news and what I’m keeping an eye on in my practice.
1. New “Alien Registration” Requirement for Certain Immigrants
Starting April 11, USCIS rolled out a new process under Executive Order 14159 that could affect folks applying for adjustment of status or naturalization—especially if there are gaps or unclear spots in their immigration history. While most people who are lawfully present are already considered “registered” just by going through standard immigration procedures, this rule adds an extra layer for some individuals.
If you’re helping a spouse, parent, or child get a green card—or if you’re applying for citizenship yourself—it’s worth making sure all past documents are in order. I’m advising my clients to double-check timelines, visa history, and make sure nothing’s missing or inconsistent. Small paperwork issues that felt minor before might be a bigger deal now under this added scrutiny.
2. Increased Focus on Social Media and Ideological Screening
The State Department has also signaled it’s beefing up its vetting process—especially for student visas—but there’s reason to believe this trend could bleed into other areas, including family-based immigration. While it hasn’t directly changed anything for I-130 or N-400 applicants yet, consular officers are being encouraged to pay closer attention to social media activity and potential “ideological indicators.”
It’s not about policing opinions—it’s about consistency. If something in your application contradicts what’s posted publicly, or if it raises questions about intent or eligibility, it could slow things down. I’m not here to scare anyone, but I am here to say: be thoughtful about what’s out there, and let’s make sure nothing in your file catches an officer off guard.
3. Visa Bulletin Movement (or Lack Thereof)
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin didn’t offer a lot of exciting movement in family-based categories, which means wait times aren’t shrinking any time soon. But even when the numbers don’t change much, it’s still important to keep track. For clients sponsoring siblings, adult children, or other relatives in capped categories, this affects timelines in a real way. And for anyone thinking of applying—knowing the timing upfront helps you plan.
In my practice, I’m keeping clients looped in on any changes to visa bulletin movement so they’re not caught off guard by wait times or sudden shifts in processing.
Bottom Line? Stay Informed and Don’t Guess.
Immigration law isn’t static. Even if you filed everything “correctly” six months ago, a policy shift or new executive order can introduce new steps—or new risks. That’s why it helps to have someone in your corner who’s paying attention to this stuff day in and day out. If you’re sponsoring a loved one or applying for citizenship and wondering how any of this might affect you, reach out. We’ll walk through it together. Contact me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com.