Proposed Changes to United States Immigration and Citizenship Rules

美國移民與公民權法規擬議變更

Jul 10, 2026, 18:33
IndiaPolitics

Introduction

The United States government is proposing several changes to the rules regarding citizenship applications, work-based residency permits, and non-immigrant visas.

美國政府正擬議對公民申請、工作居留許可以及非移民簽證的相關規定進行幾項變更。

Main Body

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suggested increasing the fee for the naturalization application (Form N-400) from $760 to $1,330 and removing several fee discounts. Legal experts emphasize that these higher costs, combined with stricter checks on small mistakes like traffic tickets or late tax filings, may discourage low-income residents from applying for citizenship. Furthermore, there has been a noticeable increase in cases where the government attempts to revoke citizenship, which is much higher than the average of 11 cases per year seen between 1990 and 2017.

國土安全部 (DHS) 建議將入籍申請 (N-400 表格) 的費用從 760 美元增加至 1,330 美元，並取消數項費用折扣。法律專家強調，成本增加，加上對交通違規或延遲報稅等微小錯誤的審查更加嚴格，可能會挫折低收入居民申請公民權的意願。此外，政府試圖撤銷公民權的案件明顯增加，遠高於 1990 年至 2017 年間每年平均 11 件的紀錄。

At the same time, the Department of Labor is reviewing the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program for the first time since 2004. This update aims to bring recruitment checks in line with modern digital hiring methods. However, it may also introduce stricter requirements to prove that no qualified American workers are available, including looking at recent company layoffs. Consequently, these changes are expected to affect industries that rely heavily on high-skilled foreign workers, especially those from India.

與此同時，勞工部正進行 2004 年以來首次對永久勞工認證 (PERM) 計畫的審查。此次更新旨在使招聘審查符合現代數位招聘方式。然而，這也可能引入更嚴格的要求，以證明沒有合格的美國工人可用，包括審查公司近期的裁員情況。因此，預計這些變更將影響嚴重依賴高技術外籍工人的產業，尤其是來自印度的工人。

Finally, the government plans to introduce stricter rules for H-1B visas and international students. They intend to require more detailed proof of the relationship between employers and employees for third-party contracts. Additionally, international students may be given fixed stay dates instead of flexible durations, and some work permit extensions for H-4 visa holders could end. If these measures are approved, they will create a system with much more oversight and more restrictions for foreign professionals.

最後，政府計畫針對 H-1B 簽證和留學生引入更嚴格的規定。他們打算要求第三方合約中，雇主與雇員之間的關係須提供更詳盡的證明。此外，留學生可能會被給予固定的逗留日期而非靈活的期限，且部分 H-4 簽證持有者的工作許可延期可能會終止。若這些措施獲得批准，將會建立一個監管更嚴、對外籍專業人士限制更多的制度。

Conclusion

These proposed changes must still go through the official government rulemaking process and may be challenged in court before they take effect.

這些擬議變更仍須經過政府的正式立法程序，在生效前可能會在法院面臨挑戰。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Cause-and-Effect' Leap

At the A2 level, you likely say: "The price is higher, so people don't apply." To reach B2, you need to connect ideas using Complex Transition Logic. This article is a goldmine for moving beyond "so" and "because."

🔍 The B2 Connector Toolkit

Look at how the text builds a professional chain of events:

  1. "Combined with... may discourage..."

    • A2 style: "Costs are high and checks are strict. This makes people sad/stopped."
    • B2 style: By using "combined with," you show that two different problems are working together to create one result. It creates a sophisticated 'pile-up' effect.

  2. "Consequently..."

    • This is the powerhouse version of "so." Use this at the start of a sentence to show a direct, logical result of a previous paragraph. It signals to the reader: "Because of everything I just told you, this is what happens next."

  3. "Instead of..."

    • A2 style: "Students have fixed dates. They don't have flexible dates."
    • B2 style: "Fixed stay dates instead of flexible durations." This allows you to contrast two opposing ideas in a single phrase, making your speech faster and more fluid.

🛠️ Practical Application: The Logic Shift

A2 Thinking (Simple)B2 Thinking (Integrated)
The rules are hard. Some people will fight in court.These rules may be challenged in court before they take effect.
The government wants new rules. They want more oversight.They intend to create a system with much more oversight...

Coach's Tip: Stop treating sentences like separate bricks. Start treating them like a chain. Use Consequently and Combined with to weld those bricks together.

Vocabulary Learning

naturalization (n.)
The legal process by which a foreign citizen or national becomes a citizen of a new country.
Example:After living in the US for five years, she finally began the process of naturalization.
emphasize (v.)
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of reviewing the vocabulary before the exam.
discourage (v.)
To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm for doing something.
Example:High application fees may discourage many eligible people from applying for the grant.
revoke (v.)
To officially cancel or take back a decree, decision, or privilege.
Example:The government decided to revoke the driver's license after the third serious offense.
consequently (adv.)
As a result of something that has happened.
Example:The company failed to innovate; consequently, it lost its market share to competitors.
oversight (n.)
The action of overseeing a process or organization to ensure it is managed correctly.
Example:The new law provides more government oversight to prevent financial fraud.
restrictions (n.)
Official or controlling rules that limit what you can do or what is allowed.
Example:There are strict restrictions on how much luggage you can take on the plane.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→