Steps a government agency takes to carry out, change, or enforce laws and policies. These actions can include creating rules, changing forms, or setting fee or fine amounts.

A federal law that explains how government agencies must create, change, and enforce regulations. It helps make sure the public has a chance to learn about and comment on proposed rules.

A public notice issued by a federal agency before it writes a proposed regulation. The agency uses an ANPRM to describe an issue it's considering regulating and to ask the public for ideas, information, or feedback that can help shape the proposed rule.

A mechanism used by Congress to overturn federal agency rules or actions. The CRA gives Congress a process to undo a rule if it has approval from both houses of Congress and the President, or if Congress overrides a presidential veto.

A federal department that works to keep the United States safe. It oversees border security, immigration services, and enforcement sub-agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

A rule a government agency believes is routine or unlikely to be controversial. The agency publishes the rule and announces when it will take effect. If no significant objections are received, the rule becomes final; if there are serious objections, the agency must withdraw it and consider another process.

The U.S. government's official daily publication where federal agencies announce new rules, proposed rules, and important notices. Think of it as a bulletin board for the federal government.

A rise in the amount of money people must pay for a government service, application, permit, or benefit.

An update to a government-issued form, such as changing questions, instructions, or required information.

A federal agency within DHS that enforces immigration laws.

A rule that takes effect right away because an agency believes there's good cause not to wait. The public can still submit comments, and the agency may later revise the rule based on that feedback.

The federal agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws in the United States.

The steps used to create a federal law.

A government office that reviews significant proposed and final regulations before they're published. OIRA checks whether a regulation is necessary, whether its benefits outweigh its costs, and whether it's consistent with the President's policies.

The larger office that oversees the federal budget and government management. OIRA is a component of OMB — together they help coordinate and review regulations across federal agencies.

Often called a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, this is a draft regulation published by a government body, such as ICE or USCIS. The public can review it and submit comments before the body decides whether to make it final.

An official rule created by a government agency to explain how a law will be carried out and enforced. Regulations have the force of law and provide details that may not be included in the law Congress passed.

Defined in Executive Order 12866 (1993), a significant regulatory action is any regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may:

• Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely affect the economy, a sector, jobs, public health, or state/local/Tribal governments in a material way
• Create a serious inconsistency with an action taken or planned by another agency
• Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, fees, or loan programs
• Raise novel legal or policy issues

A government publication listing regulations federal agencies are working on or expect to work on. It contains most — but not all — of an agency's regulatory actions, and helps the public see what new rules or changes may be coming. Note: how consistently the URA is used depends heavily on the administration.

The federal department responsible for U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, passports, visas, consular processing, and relationships with other countries.

A federal agency within DHS that manages immigration processes, including citizenship, green cards, work permits, and immigration applications.