2026 Immigration Law Upheaval: What West Covina Families Must Know Now

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Last week was one of the biggest weeks in immigration law in decades. And if you or someone you love is an immigrant living in West Covina, the San Gabriel Valley, or anywhere in California — you need to know what happened. In just seven days: the U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a landmark 6-3 ruling, cleared the way for TPS terminations affecting hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian nationals, a federal appeals court battle over a $100,000 H-1B visa fee is still unresolved, and the federal government proposed an up-to-80% hike in naturalization fees — with fee waivers eliminated entirely. These aren’t abstract legal headlines. They’re real threats to real families, real workers, and real futures. At Tez Law P.C., we know that firsthand — and our team is here to help you figure out what to do next.

Background: What Happened This Week in Immigration Law

SCOTUS Upholds Birthright Citizenship in Trump v. Barbara

On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court issued one of the most consequential immigration rulings in over a century. In Trump v. Barbara, the Court ruled 6-3 that children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States — and are therefore citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion, joined by Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. The ruling directly struck down Executive Order 14160, which President Trump signed on January 20, 2025, attempting to deny automatic citizenship to children born here when neither parent held U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence.

The majority traced birthright citizenship from English common law all the way through early American jurisprudence. Their conclusion? The Fourteenth Amendment was specifically adopted to permanently lock in this principle — and no executive order can take it away. Roberts made it plain: the Constitution doesn’t draw a line between children born to citizens, green card holders, temporary visa holders, or undocumented immigrants. If you’re born on American soil, you’re an American citizen. Full stop.

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President Trump responded by urging Congress to pass legislation restricting birthright citizenship, though legal experts note that a constitutional amendment would likely be required given the majority’s broad constitutional holding. The ruling is a major victory for immigrant families across the country.

SCOTUS Deals a Devastating Blow to TPS Holders (Haiti & Syria)

On June 25, 2026 — just five days before the birthright citizenship ruling — the Supreme Court issued a starkly different decision. In Mullin v. Doe, the Court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration can terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from Haiti and Syria, and that courts are barred from reviewing most challenges to those decisions. Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, concluded that the TPS statute explicitly bars judicial review of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s termination decisions. The Court also rejected a constitutional equal protection challenge brought by Haitian TPS holders, who argued the termination was racially motivated.

The practical impact is devastating: approximately 350,000 Haitian TPS holders and 6,000 Syrian TPS holders now face the imminent loss of their legal status and work authorization. USCIS announced that TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Haiti and Syria expired on July 10, 2026. Advocates warn that the ruling also opens the door to TPS terminations for other nationalities, potentially affecting up to 1.3 million people across 17 countries who currently rely on TPS to live and work legally in the United States.

The $100,000 H-1B Fee: Still in Effect, Still Being Fought

Since September 2025, employers seeking to hire H-1B workers through consular processing have faced a shocking $100,000 fee imposed by presidential proclamation. On June 8, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the fee entirely, finding it functioned as an unconstitutional tax imposed without congressional approval and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. However, just four days later, the government appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the district court issued an administrative stay — meaning the fee was reinstated while the appeal proceeds. The government filed its formal emergency motion with the First Circuit on June 18, 2026, and as of today, the First Circuit has not yet ruled. Employers must continue to assume the $100,000 fee is in effect for qualifying H-1B consular processing petitions. Parallel challenges remain pending in the Northern District of California and the D.C. Circuit, making this one of the most volatile areas of immigration law right now.

Proposed 80% Naturalization Fee Hike — Fee Waivers Eliminated

On June 23, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register that would dramatically increase the cost of applying for U.S. citizenship. The proposal would raise the Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) fee from $760 to $1,330 for paper filers — a 75% increase — and from $710 to $1,280 for online filers — an 80% jump. The N-336 appeal fee would rise from $830 to $1,475 on paper. Even more alarming: the proposal would eliminate all income-based fee waivers and the existing $380 reduced-fee option for lower-income applicants. Only active and former military members would remain exempt. The rule is not yet final — a 60-day public comment period runs through August 24, 2026. However, the current regulatory climate strongly suggests fees will rise. Eligible green card holders who file their N-400 now, at current rates, lock in the lower cost.

How These Rulings Affect West Covina’s Immigrant Communities

West Covina and the broader San Gabriel Valley are home to one of the most diverse immigrant populations in California — with large communities of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Central American, Haitian, and many other nationalities. Here is how this week’s developments directly touch those communities:

• Parents of U.S.-born children (undocumented or on temporary visas): The SCOTUS ruling in Trump v. Barbara is a direct and immediate victory for you. Your child’s U.S. citizenship, secured at birth, cannot be taken away by executive order. However, the president has called on Congress to act — meaning ongoing legal vigilance is essential. It is also important to note that the parent’s own immigration status is entirely separate and may still be at risk.
• Haitian and Syrian TPS holders: Your TPS-based work authorization expired July 10, 2026. If you have not already done so, you must consult with an immigration attorney immediately to explore alternative relief options — including asylum, family-based petitions, cancellation of removal, or other pathways. There is no time to wait.
• H-1B workers and their employers: If you or your employer has a pending H-1B petition requiring consular processing, the $100,000 fee is currently still in effect. Do not make filing decisions without consulting experienced immigration counsel. The legal landscape could change again with a single appellate ruling.
• Green card holders eligible for naturalization: If you are eligible to apply for citizenship today — typically five years as a lawful permanent resident (three years if married to a U.S. citizen) — filing your N-400 now at the current $710 or $760 fee rate could save you $570 or more per person. Once a final rule is published, the fee increases immediately. With a surge in filings expected, delays will grow.
• TPS holders from other countries: The Mullin v. Doe ruling grants the executive branch broad and essentially unreviewable authority to terminate TPS for any country. If you rely on TPS from Afghanistan, Cameroon, El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, or any other designated country, your status may be at risk. Begin exploring alternative immigration options now.

What You Should Do Right Now

With so much changing so rapidly, paralysis is the greatest danger. Here are the concrete steps every affected immigrant should take immediately:

1. Schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney today. The developments of the last seven days are complex, interrelated, and fast-moving. A qualified attorney can assess your unique situation and help you understand your options. At Tez Law P.C., we offer a free consultation so that cost is never a barrier to getting answers.
2. Eligible green card holders: File your N-400 immediately. Do not wait for the final rule. If you meet the residency, continuous presence, and good moral character requirements, filing now locks in the current lower fee. An attorney can help you confirm your eligibility and prepare a complete, accurate application to avoid rejection or delays.
3. Haitian and Syrian TPS holders: Act urgently. Your TPS-based EAD has expired. Explore all available options: family-based petitions, asylum, U visas, cancellation of removal, or voluntary departure. Each path has different eligibility criteria, timelines, and consequences — legal guidance is essential.
4. H-1B employers and workers: Monitor the First Circuit closely. Until the appellate court rules, the $100,000 fee is enforceable. Plan all H-1B consular processing filings with counsel and have contingency strategies ready for any outcome.
5. Parents with U.S.-born children: Document citizenship now. If your child was born in the United States, obtain a U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate and keep them in a safe, accessible location. While birthright citizenship is protected today, political pressure continues — documentation is your best protection.
6. All TPS holders: Begin identifying alternative immigration pathways. Don’t wait for a termination notice. Work with an attorney to evaluate your eligibility for any and all alternative forms of relief before your current status ends.

Why Choose Tez Law P.C. for Your Immigration Case

Tez Law P.C. is a West Covina-based law firm founded and led by Managing Attorney JJ Zhang (California Bar #326666), with a deep commitment to serving the immigrant communities of the San Gabriel Valley and clients across the entire United States. In a legal environment this volatile, you need more than a form-filler — you need a strategic advocate who understands the law, tracks the courts in real time, and fights for your family’s future.

Our immigration services cover the full spectrum of immigration law, including family-based petitions, naturalization, adjustment of status, TPS alternative relief, employment-based visas, asylum, removal defense, and more. We handle cases nationwide, so whether you are in California, Texas, New York, or anywhere in between, Tez Law P.C. is ready to help. We also assist clients who have experienced accidents or injuries in navigating the legal process through our personal injury attorney services — another critical need for immigrant families who may not know their full legal rights after an accident.

We understand the fear, confusion, and urgency our clients feel — because we have seen it firsthand, and we take it seriously. Contact Tez Law P.C. today for your free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The immigration landscape is changing faster than at any point in recent memory. Families, workers, and businesses across West Covina and the entire United States are facing real, immediate consequences from these rulings. You should not try to navigate this alone. The immigration attorneys at Tez Law P.C. are ready to stand with you, protect your rights, and guide you through every step of this process. Call or contact us today to schedule your free consultation — because when immigration law changes this fast, time is the one thing you cannot afford to waste.