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Rising Scrutiny in Employment-Based Visas: What Employers Must Prepare For

In today’s competitive global talent environment, employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories remain essential tools for U.S. employers trying to attract, transfer, or retain high-skilled professionals. Recent trends show that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted a significantly more stringent approach to adjudicating related petitions. USCIS has recently made several changes that are …

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Presidential Proclamation on H-1B Restrictions and Fees – What We Know as of Sept. 22

The September 19 Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” is not an absolute travel/adjudication ban on H-1B petition adjudications and admission of existing H-1B visa holders without the payment of $100,000.00, but the various agencies trying to implement the Proclamation are issuing rapid-fire clarifications. The Proclamation took effect at 12:01 am …

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Key Government Takeaways from the 2025 AILA Conference

Each year, the AILA National Conference provides an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from government officials on immigration policies, operational updates, and agency priorities. Among the most anticipated sessions are the Government Open Forums — though this year, they looked a little different. Unlike previous years, where agencies had dedicated booths and multiple current officials …

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Travel Ban Redux: June 9 Implementation Regarding 19 Countries

June 4 marked a very active day for the administration in immigration related proclamations.  The horrific act of anti-semitic violence by an Egyptian national B visa visitor overstay in Boulder, Colorado has served as a catalyst for both a travel ban and restrictions to cut off access to Harvard University by F-1, J-1, and M-1 …

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Crossing the Finish Line: Navigating Post-H-1B Registration

The H-1B visa program is a cornerstone for U.S. companies looking to hire international professionals in specialty occupations—from engineers and IT experts to researchers, teachers, and healthcare professionals, among others.   Unfortunately, the cap of 85,000 visas that are available each year does not meet the demand. The selection rate of H-1B registrants for the fiscal …

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Canadian B Visitors to the U.S.: What Does Registration Mean for You?

On March 12, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its proposed new registration Interim Final Regulation (IFR).[1]  It becomes effective on April 11, 2025. The IFR outlines the existing long-term regulations that provide that it is a legal requirement for all unregistered foreign nationals (or previously registered foreign nationals who turn 14 years …

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Planning for Travel Ban 2025 – Leaked Draft includes 43 countries

An article published by The New York Times on March 14, 2025, details a travel ban proposal under review by the Trump administration affecting 43 countries, categorized using a color-coded triage system (the “Article”). The article is based on a leaked memo. Reportedly, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) submitted this proposed list a few …

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April 11, 2025 Registration Rule Enhanced: Foreign Nationals – Carry your Papers!

On March 11, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the draft of its proposed new registration Interim Final Regulation (IFR) referenced in the announcement by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on February 25, 2025.[1] The IFR was published today in the Federal Register, March 12. Individuals who are required to register but …

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Protecting Students and Schools: Guidance on Federal Agent Presence

The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has historically maintained a “sensitive spaces” or “protected areas” policy which restricted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agents from making arrests in certain areas, including (1) schools (including primary, secondary, colleges, universities, daycare, preschools, school bus stops), (2) places of worship (includes religious or civil ceremonies or …

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Immigration Compliance for Employers in 2025: Guide to Worksite Audits

During the first Trump administration, worksite enforcement actions (aka raids) were focused in the Southeast and Midwest. The primary industries targeted were manufacturing and meat/poultry processing.[1]   In 2017, Thomas Homan was the acting director for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He directed Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to increase worksite immigration enforcement actions by …

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