Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly roundup of the public-policy issues currently impacting the full cleaning and facility solutions industry. This update touches on the U.S. tightening immigration work permits, a January 28 webinar on leveraging International Cleaning Week 2026 for your business, the 2026 Clean Advocacy Summit, and more.

Want to stay informed about critical government affairs impacting the cleaning and facility-solutions industry? Sign up here to have the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update emailed directly to you every other week.

ISSA Advocacy

U.S. Tightens Immigration Work Permits in Latest Move to Expand Crackdown
What it means: Work permits issued to immigrants who have applied for asylum or a range of other humanitarian programs will now be valid for 18 months rather than five years, under a new policy announced by the Trump administration. By forcing immigrants to renew their work permits more frequently, the government will have more opportunities to re-vet them, according to Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Edlow framed the change, which reverses a Biden-era policy, as the latest action by the administration to crack down on legal immigration in response to the shooting last month in Washington, DC of two National Guard members. Federal officials allege that the shooting was carried out by an Afghan national.
Why it matters: The shorter work permits will likely deter asylum seekers from coming to the U.S. and exacerbate work-permit processing backlogs, potentially intensifying labor shortages for the cleaning and facility solutions industry. Learn more here (USCIS) & here (CBS News)
What ISSA is doing: Using ISSA’s Advocacy Action Center, urge your congressional delegation to support the bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (HR 5494) to help alleviate chronic labor shortages in industries like cleaning, facility services, hospitality, and more. Take action now

ISSA Webinar — How to Leverage International Cleaning Week 2026
Why you should attend: How will you and your business celebrate International Cleaning Week, March 22–28, a time when the entire cleaning supply chain celebrates the value of clean? No matter where you work around the globe, join us for easily actionable ideas to jump start your ICW26 planning and register for this free webinar at 12 pm CT on January 28. Learn more and register now

Add Your Voice in DC — Early-Bird Summit Registration Is Open (But Not for Long)
With Congress taking up issues that directly shape your business and our industry, there’s no better time—or place—to be heard. Join us March 23–24 in Washington, DC for the 2026 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, the premier fly-in for the cleaning and facility solutions community.

Why You Should Attend

• Get inside-the-Beltway insights into federal policies affecting your business today and tomorrow.
• Meet face-to-face with your congressional delegation during our signature Hike the Hill.
• Grow your network with industry leaders from across the country.
• Learn from Washington insiders and top advocacy pros.
• Boost your advocacy skills with practical, hands-on training.
• Cap the first day of the summit in style at the inaugural International Cleaning Week Awards Dinner!

And what better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026 than by visiting the U.S. Capitol to stand up for your industry that keeps the nation clean, healthy, and thriving?

What Your Colleagues Are Saying

“I thoroughly enjoyed the education, networking, venue, and overall experience. The ISSA team did an incredible job—highly recommend!”
— Rachel Sanchez, CEO, Prestige Maintenance USA

“A great way to advocate for your business and make lasting connections within the industry.”
— Krista Plewes, Head of Marketing, Citron Hygiene

“I love being part of this group and advocating for change in our industry!”
— Iris Verdi, Strategic Account Manager, Healthcare, KBS

Don’t wait—early-bird registration runs through January 15, and space is limited for this high-impact event. Register and save now

Additional Updates

Legislative

Trump’s Push for Healthcare Plan Stalls Ahead of Looming Subsidy Expiration
President Trump’s push for a new healthcare plan has stalled amid disagreements within the GOP over the extension of key enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The dispute has slowed the administration’s efforts to avert a looming spike in health-insurance premiums, raising doubts about whether it will have any proposal ready in time for a U.S. Senate vote as early as this week on the fate of the ACA subsidies relied on by roughly 22 million people. Learn more (CNN)

Senate Passes REUSE Act to Advance Research on Reuse & Refill Systems
The U.S. Senate passed the Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies (REUSE) Act of 2025, which would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a report on the best practices and feasibility of reuse and refill systems in the U.S. The report would assess the economic and environmental impacts of these systems, including job-creation potential, government requirements, and barriers to implementation. Previous iterations of the legislation have stalled in the House of Representatives. Learn more (Recycling Today)

Regulatory

Legal Status of 350,000 Haitian Migrants Expiring in Early Feb.
The Trump administration announced a renewed effort to terminate the Temporary Protected Status of more than 350,000 Haitian immigrants, saying that they will be eligible for deportation in early February unless they have other legal means to remain in the U.S. Learn more (CBS News)

DOL Fines Facility $1M+ Following Worker Fatality While Cleaning
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) cited a vegetable-processing company for repeatedly violating safety requirements after a worker was fatally injured while cleaning and sanitizing a machine. In May 2025, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection into Taylor Farms New Jersey Inc. after being notified of the fatality at its processing facility in Swedesboro, New Jersey. Inspectors determined that Taylor Farms, a subsidiary of Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., failed to implement proper lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers from severe injuries during sanitation activities. Learn more (Cleaning & Maintenance Management)

State & Local News

Dozens of States, Cities Hiking Minimum Wages in 2026
The minimum wage for workers will increase in 19 states and 49 cities and counties next month, with the wage floor reaching US$15 per hour in dozens of localities, a new report found. Though the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not increased since 2009, many state and local governments continue to increase minimums through legislation or scheduled increases tied to inflation. Learn more (Stateline)

• OH minimum wage increases January 1(WLWT5)
• Portland, ME votes to increase minimum wage(Cleaning & Maintenance Management)