For many years, people were told the same thing about immigration: follow the law, wait your turn, and do it the right way. This idea was based on one main belief. If you followed the rules, the legal process would protect you.
As of January 2026, that belief is no longer reliable. Immigration rules are changing quickly. Policies are being changed while cases are still pending. Some legal protections are ending without warning. In some situations, even cases that were already approved are being reviewed again.
At DeMine Immigration Law Firm, we see this happening every day. The issue is no longer whether someone followed the law. The real question is whether the rules they followed will still be in place tomorrow.
Temporary Protected Status exists to shield people from returning to countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. Thousands of individuals from Somalia, Haiti, Venezuela, and other nations registered legally, passed background checks, and worked with valid employment authorization for years.
In January 2026, the administration terminated TPS for Somalia effective March 17. Similar reviews are underway for other countries. These decisions are not based on individual behavior. They are broad policy changes that impact entire groups of people who followed every rule.
When lawful status can be taken away through a policy decision instead of a personal violation, simply following the law does not guarantee long-term security.
Immigration law requires individuals in removal proceedings to appear for scheduled hearings. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic removal order. Yet in recent months, immigration enforcement has increased presence at and near courthouses across multiple jurisdictions.
This puts noncitizens in a difficult position. If they do not appear in court, they face serious legal consequences. If they do appear, they may now risk being arrested immediately. The same action that shows compliance with the law, attending a required hearing, has become a source of risk.
Attorneys and judges have publicly expressed concern about this practice. They warn that it discourages people from attending court and weakens trust in the legal system.
Becoming a U.S. citizen is the final step in a long process. Applicants go through background checks, pass a civics test, show English ability, and pay required fees. The oath ceremony is meant to be the last step.
In January 2026, multiple naturalization ceremonies across the country were postponed or canceled with minimal notice and limited explanation. Some applicants have been waiting weeks for rescheduling.
These individuals followed every rule and completed every requirement. However, the final step of taking the oath has been delayed with no clear timeline. When delays happen at the very end of the process, it shows that even approved cases can be left unfinished.
Students, skilled workers, and others with approved visas are also being affected. New vetting measures and processing pauses have been implemented for nationals from certain countries, sometimes mid-semester or mid-employment contracts.
When rules change after someone has already entered the United States and built a life here, the impact is serious. People may already be enrolled in school, working a job, or locked into housing. These sudden changes disrupt education, employment, and family stability.
The effects do not stop with the individual. Schools lose students, employers lose trained workers, and communities lose residents who contribute to the local economy and daily life.
In some cases, even U.S. citizenship is being reviewed again. While denaturalization has always existed as a legal tool for cases involving fraud or misrepresentation, recent years have seen increased resources dedicated to reviewing past naturalization cases.
As a result, immigration authorities are reopening files that may be many years old. They are checking for errors or missing information that may not have been considered important at the time. This can include small mistakes, date inconsistencies, or gaps in documents.
It is important to be clear. The actual loss of citizenship remains uncommon. However, the increase in reviews has created uncertainty for people who believed their citizenship status was final.
When temporary protections are terminated, court appearances become enforcement risks, oath ceremonies are postponed, visa reviews restart mid-process, and citizenship files are reopened, the concept of "doing it the right way" loses its meaning.
This isn't about encouraging unlawful behavior. It's about recognizing that immigration law in 2026 is volatile, unpredictable, and increasingly unforgiving to those without experienced legal counsel.
Status today doesn't guarantee security tomorrow. Long term protection requires planning, careful documentation, and preparation for possible changes.
At DeMine Immigration Law Firm, we help clients navigate an immigration system where rules can change faster than individual cases. We stay informed on policy updates, review potential risks, look for alternative legal options, and help clients prepare for possible changes.
If your immigration status is temporary, uncertain, or under review, waiting can reduce your choices. Speaking with an attorney early allows us to identify concerns and prepare a response before a decision is made.
📅 Schedule a consultation today to speak with the DeMine Immigration team and learn how we can support you and your family through your immigration journey