As employers enter 2026, U.S. employment-based immigration reflects the lasting impact of policy shifts that defined 2025, as the announcement of an “America First” framework and a first year of executive action reshaped the system. Continuous visa vetting, stepped-up enforcement, and new protocols for visa appointments and international travel have altered the landscape for globally mobile workforces, while a presidential proclamation implementing a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions and a weighted selection model for the H-1B cap signal a significant shift in how employers access talent. At the same time, anticipated regulations may narrow green card pathways, restrict work authorization for students on Optional Practical Training, and further tighten the legal standard for H-1B “specialty occupation” eligibility. This panel will unpack what “America First” has meant in practice for employment based U.S. immigration, examine how executive orders and regulatory trends have altered employment-based strategies, and explore options to attract and retain talent in 2026.