[2026-10-21 Epoch Times News] (compiled by reporter Li Fang) “Weekly Immigration Watch” from October 13 to October 19, 2026 | Focus on Chinese Immigration Policies and Cases
Overview of the Week
This week’s news of interest to Chinese immigrants primarily focuses on two main issues: first, the tightening of the refugee status termination procedures in the United States, shortening the deadline for individuals to present their defenses; and second, Hong Kong residents under “Deferred Enforced Departure” (DED) protection being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the federal government providing further clarification on the residency guarantees for such individuals.
Focus of the Week
1. Refugee Defense Deadline Shortened to 10 Days: The new rule, effective as of October 14, may affect refugees who have not yet obtained green cards.
2. Hong Kong Residents with DED Detained – U.S. Does Not Rule Out Initiation of Deportation Proceedings
3. Over 100,000 Ukrainian and Sudanese Nationals Temporarily Exempted from Deportation: The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) originally set to expire on October 19 has been temporarily extended, but the government has not officially announced the length of the extension.
4. U.S. Releases 2026 Fiscal Year Border Data: The Department of Homeland Security states that less than 100,000 individuals were arrested for illegal border crossings along the southwest border throughout the year, marking a historic low.
On October 13, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule, reducing the deadline for individuals who receive a “Notice of Intent to Terminate” (NOIT) regarding their refugee status termination to submit written evidence or request an interview from 30 days to 10 days. The new rule came into effect on October 14.
According to the rule, if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines that an individual did not meet the refugee qualifications upon entry, they can start the process to terminate their refugee status. Failure to respond within the deadline may be considered a waiver of the right to defend. Once refugee status is terminated, their work authorization also ceases, and the government can initiate deportation proceedings.
The new rule may also affect the primary applicants’ spouses and children. For individuals who have not obtained green cards and are staying in the U.S. under refugee status, timely response to government notifications will be more crucial. This rule applies to relevant refugee cases and is not specifically targeting Chinese immigrants. The DHS stated that the new rule aims to expedite reviews of cases that may not meet refugee qualifications and address what the government refers to as background checks and security loopholes.
In terms of Hong Kong residents under DED protection in the U.S., the issue of residency guarantees remains a subject of concern. According to a report on October 13 by the South China Morning Post, the DHS stated that individuals under the DED program may still be referred for deportation; however, authorities have not initiated such procedures at the moment. The DHS emphasized that having a work permit or a pending application does not automatically grant lawful immigration status.
This development comes after reports that at least 12 Hong Kong residents under DED protection had been detained by ICE at various airports since June of this year. Some individuals reported that law enforcement officials asked them to sign voluntary departure documents; subsequently, these individuals were released by immigration courts, yet some are still subject to electronic monitoring and travel restrictions.
The above details are based on media reports, and the specific legal status of individual cases needs further verification. DED is an administrative deferral of deportation arrangement and does not equate to obtaining a green card or permanent immigration status. The ordeal faced by these Hong Kong residents highlights the distinction between temporary residency protection and permanent residency rights.
Another noteworthy development is the introduction of the “Hong Kong Refugee Protection Act” by U.S. lawmakers on October 6, proposing to allow qualified Hong Kong residents currently under DED protection to apply for green cards and citizenship. This is a bill proposal and not yet enacted legislation; whether it receives passage in Congress remains to be seen.
Looking ahead, on October 19, the DHS announced that the temporary protected status (TPS) for Ukrainian and Sudanese immigrants, originally set to expire on that day, remains in effect, allowing individuals to temporarily stay in the U.S. and avoid immediate deportation.
This arrangement involves approximately 101,000 Ukrainians and 1,800 Sudanese nationals. The government has not disclosed an official decision or the duration of the temporary extension. TPS allows eligible individuals to temporarily stay and work in the U.S. due to strife in their home countries or other special circumstances, but it does not provide a direct path to obtaining a green card.
While this news is not directly related to Chinese immigrants, it reflects that certain immigration protection measures may still undergo policy changes before or after expiry. For those relying on temporary status to stay in the U.S., it is crucial to pay attention to official government announcements rather than relying solely on temporary extension news to determine long-term residency arrangements.
Looking at the border enforcement data for the 2026 fiscal year, on October 16, the DHS disclosed that the total number of arrests for illegal border crossings along the southwest border was 98,708, marking a historic low. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin inspected border facilities in Arizona on the same day and defended the government’s immigration enforcement policies.
According to the DHS and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, the number of arrests at the southwest border for the fiscal year was less than 100,000, significantly lower than the levels exceeding 1.8 million individuals annually during the Biden administration. The DHS also indicated that for the entire fiscal year, no detained illegal entrants were released by Border Patrol for the first time.
The government attributes the decline in figures to enhanced border controls, deportations, and enforcement measures. Mullin stated that the government is enforcing existing laws and claimed that border enforcement has been effective.
However, these data mainly reflect the arrests and encounters recorded by border enforcement agencies and cannot solely determine the actual scale of all illegal border activities or exclusively identify the reasons for the decline.
Looking into next week, the following immigration topics are worth monitoring:
1. Reactions to the new rule on refugee status termination: Whether refugee organizations will file lawsuits and if the government will receive substantial opposition.
2. Progress on the “Hong Kong Refugee Protection Act” in Congress, new court rulings on cases of detained Hong Kong residents under DED, and any new asylum or deportation cases involving Chinese citizens entering federal courts.
3. Oversight of ICE enforcement and detentions: Any new developments in body camera policies and lawsuits related to enforcement processes.
4. Further analysis of the 2026 fiscal year border data: Focusing on official CBP statistics and independent research to verify the relationship between government-published data and policy effectiveness.