Headlines: DOS Expands Social Media Vetting to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants – This newest expansion of the government’s online presence screening practices for foreign nationals applies to both new visa applications and renewals. USCIS Reduces Maximum Validity Period for Some Work Permits – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reduced the maximum validity period […]
Headlines: Trump Vows Crackdown After National Guard Shootings – After an Afghan asylum recipient shot two National Guardsmen in the District of Columbia, President Trump called for a halt to asylum decisions, a “permanent pause” on “migration from all Third World Countries,” and an indefinite pause on visas for Afghan nationals, along with reviewing those […]
Headlines: USCIS, CBP, ICE Announce New ‘Inflationary Adjustments’ for Certain Fees – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced increases in fees for certain benefits for Fiscal Year 2026. USCIS Now Accepting Only Electronic Payments for Benefit Requests, With Exceptions – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration […]
Headlines: Shutdown Aftermath: Visa Services Resume, Delays Expected – Routine visa services have resumed after the federal government shutdown was ended after a record 43 days. Federal funding has been extended until January 30, 2026, but delays and backlogs remain. DOS Expands Public Charge Exclusions, Encourages Visa Officers to Speculate – The Department of State […]
Headlines: OFLC Resumes Application Processing; Delays Expected – The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has resumed processing of employer requests for prevailing wages and labor certification determinations for temporary and permanent employment in the United States. OFLC Announces Extensions and Emergency Procedures in Light of Shutdown – Due to the federal government shutdown, the Office […]
Headlines: DHS Publishes Interim Final Rule Ending Automatic Extension of Certain EADs – The rule does not affect the validity of EADs that were automatically extended before October 30, 2025, or that are otherwise automatically extended by law or through a Federal Register notice, such as for Temporary Protected Status-related employment documentation. Presidential Determination Limits […]
Overview The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule that will end the practice of automatically extending Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for most noncitizens who file renewal applications in certain categories. Effective Date: Beginning October 30, 2025, individuals who file EAD renewal applications on or after this date will no longer […]
Headlines: USCIS Releases Additional Guidance on New $100,000 H-1B Fee – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced additional guidance related to the Presidential Proclamation establishing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions. Among other things, USCIS emphasized that petitions subject to the fee that are filed without evidence of payment or the grant of […]
Headlines: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Files Lawsuit, Calls New $100K H-1B Fee ‘Unlawful’ – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is challenging the legality of the new $100,000 H-1B fee. Visa Bulletin for November Includes Diversity Visa 2026 Results – The Kentucky Consular Center has registered and notified the selectees who are eligible to participate in […]
Headlines: E-Verify Resumes Operations; Employers Hiring When E-Verify Was Unavailable Must Create a Case by October 14 – E-Verify has resumed operations during the federal government shutdown. The announcement includes instructions for employers who hired foreign employees while E-Verify was temporarily not available. Employers who participate in E‑Verify must create an E‑Verify case by Tuesday, […]
