DHS is proposing to update the fee required by section 100016 of the Budget Reconciliation Act (known as the HR-1). This fee applies to certain aliens ordered removed in absentia who fail to depart the United States and are subsequently arrested by ICE. DHS is proposing to increase the fee from $5,130 to $18,000. This rule also makes clear that DHS will adjust this fee for inflation each year.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a pair of executive orders aimed at preventing undocumented immigrant workers from using the U.S. financial system and expanding financial technology firms' access to Federal Reserve payment accounts and services.
Federal prosecutors urged the Ninth Circuit Tuesday to revive lawsuits against California and Oregon claiming states are required to hand over voter registration lists that include driver's license and Social Security numbers, saying the data would be used to look for noncitizens and others not eligible to vote.
Four former employees of Lindsey Wilson University sued the school and several of its officials in Kentucky federal court, alleging they were fired in retaliation for raising concerns about the school's lack of compliance with immigration law in its handling of international students.
Homeland Security Investigations St. Louis and the Department of Justice announced that Richard James Miller, 41, of St. Francois County, was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison.
Chief District Judge Richard Seeborg is expected to conclude his time as the top judge for the Northern District of California in July, according to a spokesperson for the judiciary, to be succeeded by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
A California federal judge on Monday rejected the U.S. government's contention that a prior order limiting its ability to hold migrant minors in hotels applied only to expulsions tied to a public health order put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The District of Columbia said neither federal law nor the D.C. Code authorizes the president's deployment of the D.C. National Guard for law-enforcement activities in the district, urging the D.C. Circuit to uphold an injunction barring the deployment.
Reconsider travel
to Venezuela due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
U.S. embassy operations
In March 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced the resumption of operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas after 7 years of suspended operations. Consular services provided by the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela remain limited at this time. Most consular services are still provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
- Routine consular services remain suspended in Venezuela.
- The U.S. embassy can only provide limited emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Caracas.
- Routine consular services are still provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
Crime and kidnapping
- Conditions in some parts of Venezuela remain dangerous. Violent crimes such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping occur.
- Travelers face increased risk using unregulated taxis from Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport serving Caracas. Security risks are also present when using ATMs near the airport.
- Nighttime travel between cities is risky.
- Irregular armed groups can carry out acts of violence against citizens without warning. There are no reliable crime statistics.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Venezuela. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
- The Foreign Terrorist Organizations Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles started in Venezuela and continue to operate.
- Terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.
Health infrastructure
Venezuela’s healthcare system is in a state of severe crisis.
- There are critical shortages of medicines, broken equipment, and crumbling infrastructure in rural areas and in some neighborhoods.
- Public hospitals in remote areas frequently lack running water and electricity.
- There are shortages of medical staff. These issues have led to high mortality rates.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends medicine to prevent malaria. Other mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya, zika, dengue, oropouche, and yellow fever, are common.
- Contaminated water is a source of significant gastrointestinal infection in Venezuela.
- If going outside cities, travelers should consider a health check before traveling to Venezuela to minimize the need for medical care.
Do Not Travel to:
- Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism
- Amazonas state due to the risk of terrorism
- Apure state due to risk of terrorism
- Aragua state outside of Maracay due to the risk of crime and kidnapping
- Bolivar state rural areas due to the risk of crime and kidnapping
- Guarico state due to the risk crime and kidnapping
- Tachira state due to the risk of crime and terrorism
Candidates for general counsel roles at private equity-backed portfolio companies should prioritize proving their sector-specific experience, commercial judgment and ease with uncertainty — and attorneys hoping to be candidates in five to 10 years should start working on those skills now, says Dimitri Mastrocola at Major Lindsey.