
Executive Summary
The Trump Administration has taken the initial step required to rescind a rule that offered qualifying international entrepreneurs permission to stay in the United States for up to five years.
The situation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sent a proposal to withdraw the International Entrepreneur rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The move is the first formal step taken by the Trump Administration to keep the highly anticipated program from taking effect.
Background
Promulgated in the final days of the Obama Administration and originally slated to take effect in July, the International Entrepreneur rule would have permitted qualifying foreign entrepreneurs with U.S. start-up businesses to stay in the United States under temporary parole for up to five years if they could demonstrate substantial U.S. investment and potential for rapid growth and job creation.
In July, the Trump Administration postponed the rule’s effective date to March 14, 2018 in order to give it time to consider whether to rescind or revise the program. The administration’s decision to move ahead with rescission is consistent with its ongoing efforts to limit the use of parole, as articulated in a January 25, 2017 Executive Order on border security and immigration enforcement.
Looking ahead
Once OMB completes its review of the proposal, DHS is expected to publish a formal notice in the Federal Register. Organizations and individuals would then have an opportunity to provide public feedback during a comment period, which is typically 30-60 days long.
Fragomen is closely monitoring the regulatory review process and will provide updates as they become available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Blog post
Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni outlines USCIS’ decision to reduce EB-5 filing fees following a federal court ruling that invalidates the agency’s 2024 fee increases.
Media mentions
Manager Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce highlight how the UK government’s consultation on expanding right to work checks could affect construction employers.
Awards
China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.
Awards
Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Blog post
Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni outlines USCIS’ decision to reduce EB-5 filing fees following a federal court ruling that invalidates the agency’s 2024 fee increases.
Media mentions
Manager Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce highlight how the UK government’s consultation on expanding right to work checks could affect construction employers.
Awards
China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.
Awards
Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.
