DHS Reg Agenda: Security Plans Galore, Excitement Not Included
Published Date: 8/14/2026
Notice
Summary
This regulatory agenda is a summary of projected regulations, existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components. This agenda provides the public with information about DHS's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS expects that this information will enable the public to be more aware of, and effectively participate in, the Department's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS invites the public to submit comments on any aspect of this agenda.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
EB-5 Investor Fee Adjustment
DHS proposed on October 23, 2025 to adjust the fees USCIS charges for Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) immigrant benefit requests and to codify elements of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. DHS plans to review comments and issue a final action in September 2026. The change would alter the fees EB-5 applicants must pay to USCIS.
H-1B Selection Weighted to Higher Wages
A final rule published December 29, 2025 (effective February 27, 2026) changes H-1B registration selection so registrations are weighted to generally favor beneficiaries whose proffered wages correspond to higher Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) wage levels. The rule keeps beneficiary-centric selection and does not change the order between the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption.
9-11 Biometric Fee Extended to Extensions
DHS is amending regulations to specify that the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fees, which are paid by certain employers of H-1B and L nonimmigrant workers, will apply to all H-1B and L-1 extension petitions in addition to previously covered petitions. The NPRM was published June 6, 2024, and a final rule is planned in July 2026.
De Minimis $800 Suspension and New Entry Rules
CBP proposes to implement the indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption for goods valued at $800 or less, modify electronic filing for informal entries of goods valued at $2,500 or less, create a new electronic informal entry type for mail, and add new bonding requirements for informal entries including in the mail environment. The rule is listed for proposed action with an NPRM planned in September 2026.
Stricter Airport SIDA Vetting Rules
TSA will propose a rule to revise eligibility requirements for unescorted access to any Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) of an airport, adding disqualifying criminal offenses and criteria, developing an appeal and waiver process, and proposing an extension of the lookback period for disqualifying crimes. The NPRM timing is to be determined.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17390, Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo
Starting October 26, 2026, all rail cargo leaving the U.S. must have its export info sent electronically through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This new rule helps Customs keep cargo safe and makes trade smoother for rail exporters. Rail companies and exporters should get ready because enforcement begins a year later, on October 26, 2027.
2026-17324, Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to establish a $103,265 fee, payable at the time of filing, for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, which would be imposed in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. This fee would serve as a dedicated revenue mechanism to help recover a portion of the federal government's costs of administering the lawful immigration system, including activities carried out by DHS, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
2026-16313, Mandatory Electronic Filing (e-Filing)
This interim final rule (IFR) amends U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to provide: USCIS may require mandatory electronic filing (e-filing) of certain benefit requests; the process USCIS will follow to require a benefit request to be e-filed; and how a waiver of the e-filing requirement for those individuals unable to file electronically may be requested. This rule is intended to increase digital intake and processing to move USCIS and requestors from a mostly paper process to an electronic process and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system and the security of the United States.
2026-14439, Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media
Starting September 15, 2026, students, exchange visitors, and foreign media reps will get a fixed time to stay in the U.S. instead of an open-ended status. This change helps the government keep better track of who’s following the rules and makes extending stays clearer. It affects F, J, and I visa holders and could mean more careful planning and paperwork, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-13392, EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022; Ensuring the Integrity of the EB-5 Program; Automatic Revocation of Petitions for Immigrant Classification
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 shakes up the investor visa program by making sure only serious investors who create real jobs get green cards. It affects foreign investors and regional centers, adds new rules to stop fraud, and sets a deadline for public comments by August 31, 2026. This means more trust and transparency in the program, with changes rolling out soon and investments under closer watch.
2026-13137, Marine Casualty Reporting on the Outer Continental Shelf
Starting July 30, 2026, companies working on the Outer Continental Shelf must report marine accidents based on who’s involved, not just where they happen. The rule raises the damage cost that triggers a report from $25,000 to $75,000, saving businesses money and making rules clearer and fairer. This change cuts industry costs by over $10,000 in 10 years and aligns U.S. rules with international standards for offshore activities.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16604, 2026 Unified Agenda
Publication of the 2026 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions represents a key component of the regulatory planning mechanism prescribed in Executive Order ("E.O.") 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," (58 FR 51735, as amended) and reaffirmed in E.O. 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review," (76 FR 3821) and E.O. 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation." The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that agencies publish semiannual regulatory agendas in the Federal Register describing regulatory actions they are developing that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). The Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda) helps agencies fulfill all of these requirements. All Federal regulatory agencies have chosen to publish their regulatory agendas as part of this publication. The complete publication of the 2026 Unified Agenda contains 78 Federal agency regulatory agendas available to the public at www.reginfo.gov. The 2026 Unified Agenda publication appearing in the Federal Register includes the agency Regulatory Flexibility Agendas, in accordance with the publication requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Agency Regulatory Flexibility Agendas contain only those Agenda entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Next: 2026-16606, Regulatory Agenda
The Department of Justice is publishing its 2026 Unified Agenda regulatory agenda pursuant to Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 58 FR 51735, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 to 612 (1988).