North America
Key trends shaping North America's labor and immigration landscape
Policy shifts and political impact
United States
In the United States, following the results of the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump has returned to the White House for a second term, with the Republican Party securing control of both the Senate and House of Representatives. This political landscape significantly increases the likelihood of legislative and executive immigration changes moving forward. Among the key anticipated policy shifts are the potential reinstatement of travel and visa bans affecting nationals from majority-Muslim countries and so-called “enemy nations.”
Additionally, visa application processing times are expected to lengthen, both domestically and at United States consulates abroad. New limits are also likely for the H-1B visa category, including the introduction of a wage threshold requirement that may make it harder for employers to secure visas for foreign talent.
The United States administration has also introduced new executive orders, including a noncitizen registration requirement under the “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” directive, and expanded authority for USCIS to initiate removal proceedings for certain individuals following the denial of an immigration benefit.
In April 2025, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced the immediate revocation of all United States visas issued to South Sudanese nationals, signaling a more aggressive enforcement stance on visa policy.
Modernization and digitization
United States
In the United States, USCIS confirmed that the FY2026 H-1B cap registration period opened from March 7 to March 24, 2025, requiring employers to submit electronic registrations with a $215 fee per beneficiary. The beneficiary-centric lottery model remains in place, ensuring that each individual is only entered into the lottery once, regardless of how many employers submit registrations on their behalf. Petition filing began on April 1 and will continue through June 30, 2025. To facilitate high-volume submissions, a temporary increase in the daily credit card transaction limit was implemented.
Meanwhile, United States consular services introduced several changes to scheduling procedures, interview waiver criteria, and communication preferences to improve processing efficiency. Separately, the United States Department of State updated the eligibility requirements for visa interview waivers, with new guidelines now in effect globally.
Compliance and enforcement measures
United States
In the United States, USCIS released a policy memorandum in February 2025 expanding the circumstances under which it may issue Notices to Appear (NTA), initiating removal proceedings for individuals who are no longer lawfully present in the United States. While beneficiaries of employment-based petitions are exempt, their dependent family members are not, and the memo also broadens enforcement to include individuals with criminal arrests, charges, or convictions.
In April 2025, the United States Department of Homeland Security announced that it will begin reviewing applicants' social media activity for antisemitic content and incidents involving the harassment of Jewish individuals. This content may now be treated as a negative discretionary factor when adjudicating applications for immigration benefits, including green cards and study permits.
Additionally, the United States Department of Homeland Security has indefinitely paused adjudications under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), and Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV) parole programs, effectively halting processing for applicants in these humanitarian categories.
In the United States, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) policies also saw significant updates. The previously announced expiration date for Haiti TPS has been shortened from 18 months to 12 months, with protections now ending on August 3, 2025. Employers and TPS beneficiaries are being urged to track updates and ensure timely re-registration and renewal of employment authorization documents. Broader TPS-related developments have affected nationals of Venezuela, Haiti, and other designated countries.
Program and pathway updates
Canada
Canada continues to refine and expand its economic immigration programs. In February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the priority occupation categories for this year’s category-based draws under the Express Entry system. The updated categories will focus on candidates with work experience in key sectors such as healthcare, the skilled trades, and education, while also continuing to prioritize Francophone immigration. Candidates qualifying under the Canadian Experience Class will also receive additional attention. These initiatives align with the government’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan and aim to address persistent labor shortages across the country.
In addition a new immigration initiative was launched in Canada to support Francophone and rural communities. This pilot program connects employers in over 15 designated regions with skilled foreign workers to address labor shortages and promote economic development. The program offers a pathway to permanent residence for French-speaking newcomers settling outside of Quebec.
Travel and entry restrictions
United States
In the United States, reports began circulating in March 2025 that the administration is preparing to implement a new travel ban affecting noncitizens from multiple countries. While the government has not formally announced the policy or specified an effective date, multiple media outlets report that an announcement is imminent.
Earlier in the year, President Trump issued an Executive Order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented parents. This order was immediately challenged in federal court, and two preliminary injunctions have since been issued, preventing its enforcement while legal proceedings continue.