Washington, D.C. (January 1, 2026) – In a special year-end episode of Parsing Immigration Policy, Executive Director Mark Krikorian is joined by CIS Director of Policy Studies Jessica Vaughan and Fellow in Law and Policy Andrew Arthur for a comprehensive review of one of the most consequential years for U.S. immigration policy in modern history and a forecast of what to expect in 2026.

The discussion examines a sweeping series of executive actions and reforms that dramatically reshaped border security, interior enforcement, and immigration programs. Among the most consequential developments: the resumption of border wall construction; reinvigoration of the Remain in Mexico program; limits on asylum claims by illegal entrants; expanded military support at the border; and a renewed emphasis on interior enforcement.

Perhaps most significant for the long term, the panel notes, was the passage of the Laken Riley Act – landmark legislation enacted in direct response to illegal alien crime, widespread detention failures, and mass parole abuse under the Biden administration. Unlike executive orders, the act can’t simply be undone by a future administration and is expected to shape immigration enforcement for years to come.

The episode revisits predictions made last year and looks ahead to 2026 with forecasts including:

• A heavier emphasis on worksite enforcement.
• Kilmar Abrego Garcia will be removed to a country in the Western Hemisphere.
• Expanded fraud investigations by USCIS across visa and asylum programs.
• President Trump will withdraw the U.S. from the U.N. refugee treaty.
• Push for legalization of mixed-status families.
• A major no-match letter initiative.