New Citizenship Requirements and Expanded Visa Vetting to a High-Profile Raid that Raised Compliance Concerns

At Heckler Law Group, we stay on top of every development that could influence our clients’ immigration strategies. This week, we’re highlighting the most significant changes—ranked by their real-world impact on families, employees, and employers.

Hyundai Plant Raid in Georgia
On September 4, 2025, U.S. immigration authorities detained about 475 workers at a Hyundai/LG battery plant construction site in Georgia, with over 300 South Korean nationals among them. Most of those detained have since departed the U.S. following the raid. The incident underscores the risks of relying on subcontractors and short-term visas for technical work. Companies can reduce exposure by auditing subcontractors, ensuring visa compliance, and using proper visa categories for the scope of work.

Citizenship Applications Now Require “Positive Contributions”
USCIS has updated its naturalization guidance to require applicants to demonstrate not just a clean record but also affirmative contributions—such as community involvement, education, caregiving, or financial responsibility. Critics argue this new “positive contributions” test is vague and could disproportionately impact less affluent immigrants.

Neighborhood and Workplace Interviews Restored
USCIS has reinstated neighborhood and workplace interviews for some citizenship applicants, reversing a decades-long waiver. Applicants may now be asked to provide letters of recommendation from neighbors, coworkers, or employers as part of the process.

State Department Expands “Continuous Vetting” of Visa Holders
The Trump administration has expanded continuous vetting to all valid visa holders. Any evidence of overstays, criminal activity, or security concerns could now lead to visa revocation and possible deportation, even for those already living in the U.S.

Department of Labor Simplifies Worker Appeals
The Department of Labor’s Administrative Review Board has launched a redesigned website to make worker appeals more transparent and user-friendly, with streamlined navigation, new FAQs, and easier access to guidance.

Harder Citizenship Test and More Officer Discretion Ahead
USCIS officials announced plans to make the citizenship test more challenging—potentially including an essay component—and to give adjudicating officers greater discretion in interpreting applicant responses. These changes are still under consideration but signal a tougher naturalization process ahead.

USCIS Reaffirms Public Charge Guidance
USCIS issued a policy memo reaffirming existing standards for determining inadmissibility under the public charge rule. Officers must continue weighing age, health, financial status, and public benefit use in line with the 2022 Final Rule.

Closing Thoughts
This week’s immigration developments highlight a dual trend: stricter scrutiny of both visa holders and naturalization applicants, alongside incremental efforts to streamline worker protections and legal clarity. For immigrants, these changes mean higher hurdles and closer monitoring. For employers, especially those hiring foreign talent or subcontracting large projects, compliance and proactive planning are more critical than ever to avoid costly disruptions.