This is a summary of the most important immigration news from March 5 to 12, 2025. During this period, Trump administration measures have included elimination of gender options in immigration forms, declaration of English as the official language of the U.S., and implementation of visa restrictions for foreign officials that facilitate irregular immigration, which have produced a variety of reactions in communities and organizations.
Recent News
USCIS removes “Another Gender” option on immigration forms: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has removed the “Another Gender Identity” option from immigration forms, such as the I-485 (application for adjustment of status). Now, applicants can only choose between “Female” or “Male.”
- Why this is important: The removal of the “Another Gender Identity” option on immigration forms may have consequences for individuals whose gender identity does not align with the binary categories of “female” or “male.” Not only does this measure complicate the immigration process for transgender and non-binary individuals by forcing them to select an option that does not reflect their identity, but it may also be perceived as a form of institutional discrimination and affect these communities.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Benach Collopy, LLP have sued the Trump administration for implementing changes to the forms without notice or a grace period, which could lead to mass rejections. Attorney Sarah Pitney of Benach Collopy warned that the changes to gender markers will affect LGBTQ+ immigrants in particular, preventing them from reflecting their identity on official documents.
- What you can do: Applicants should select the gender that best matches their legal documents to avoid processing delays. If in doubt, please consult an immigration attorney. You can access the NDWA attorney directory (NDWA is the partner organization of La Alianza), at the following link: https://www.domesticworkers.org/resources/immigrant-rights/find-legal-help/
There you can find information about where to access legal aid near your home. - Impact on immigrant communities: Potential administrative and legal hurdles for transgender and non-binary individuals seeking to adjust their immigration status, in addition to effects on asylum claims based on gender identity persecution.
USCIS will require non-citizens to provide social media identifiers on immigration forms: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin requiring applicants for immigration benefits to provide their social media information on their forms.
- Why this is important: Collection of this data is part of a more rigorous identity review and verification process, which could affect applicants for visas, permanent residency, and citizenship.
- What you can do: Applicants should review their public social media profiles and consult with immigration experts to understand how this new measure could impact their applications.
- Impact on immigrant communities: Potential stricter scrutiny in immigration processes, which could result in longer wait times and risk of denials based on social media activity.
Trump’s executive order declares English the official language of the U.S. President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, making it the first language to receive official status at the federal level.
- Why this is important: This measure could make access to essential information and services more difficult for millions of immigrants who rely on official documents, health care forms, and voting materials in other languages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 68 million U.S. residents speak a language other than English at home, highlighting the potential impact of this policy on immigrant communities.
- What you can do: Consider looking into English language learning programs and stay informed about changes in the availability of services in other languages. You can practice English through USALearns.org, a platform with interactive lessons, or search for face-to-face classes in literacy and ESL programs through the National Literacy Directory. In addition, free tools such as Google Translate and DeepL.com can provide translation of documents and conversations in real time from your cell phone.
- Impact on immigrant communities: Reduced accessibility to information in other languages could make civic engagement and access to government, health, and legal services more difficult. In addition, this measure would make any immigration process more complex, including asylum applications, adjustment of status, and other procedures that require a detailed understanding of legal forms and requirements.
Immigration Measures in Process and Policy Changes
- Visa restrictions for foreign officials: The State Department announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign officials, including immigration and customs agents, who facilitate irregular immigration to the U.S. This measure seeks to pressure countries on migration routes to strengthen their immigration laws and prevent the transit of migrants to the U.S.
- EB-4 annual cap reached: The Department of State announced that all EB-4 visas for 2025 have been adjudicated and no more will be issued until October 1, 2025.
Immigration in numbers
A recent report by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) revealed the states with the highest number of detained migrants in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
The states with the highest number of immigrants in detention centers are:
- Texas: 6,461 detainees
- Louisiana: 4,435 detainees
- Mississippi: 2,135 detainees
- Georgia: 1,514 detainees
- California: 1,377 detainees
- Arizona: 1,312 detainees
- Pennsylvania: 1,173 detainees
- Colorado: 1,164 detainees
- New Mexico: 808 detainees
Resources
- For more help, visit the National Domestic Workers Alliance’s “Know Your Rights” hub. It includes immigrants’ rights, immigration options, and a legal aid directory, among other resources. To access the information, visit ndwa.us/immigrant.
Note: The National Domestic Workers Alliance is the partner organization of La Alianza
- To identify reliable information, visit: How to identify fake news about immigration and avoid misinformation.
Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that you consult with an immigration attorney to assess your specific situation.
Editor’s note: This article was originally written in Spanish and translated into English by Tilde Language Justice Cooperative
