Immigration Insights & Issues Blog
Key legal insights into modern immigration challenges.
For years, Small Business Administration (SBA)-backed small business loans were available to borrowers that were at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and/or U.S. legal permanent residents (LPRs also known as “green card” holders). The Trump Administration has now extended the scope of its efforts to tighten immigration-related policies and rules to qualifications …
Continue reading “Trump Administration Prohibits SBA Loans to Noncitizens”
Without any grace period for implementation, investigation results, or opportunity for prior comment by H-1B employers in the State of Texas, Governor Abbott issued a letter on January 27, 2026, addressed to all state agency heads stating that, “The economy of Texas should work for the benefit of Texas workers and Texas employers.” The letter …
Continue reading “Texas Hold’em: Governor’s H-1B Pause Reveals Several ‘Hole Cards’”
On September 19, 2025, the Trump Administration created, via Executive Order, new immigrant options for investors to acquire permanent residence via the Trump Gold Card program, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). The Secretary of the DOC coordinates with the Secretary of State and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish …
Continue reading “Trump Gold Card or Pyrite Card Program – Which Is It?”
The H-1B nonimmigrant category[1] has been a target of extreme scrutiny under the current administration. H-1B sponsoring employers face a variety of new considerations affecting their petition beneficiaries such as: potential eligibility for selection in the annual H-1B lottery for cap-subject employers, costs of filing due to the H-1B Proclamation implementing the $100,000.00 payment, ability …
Continue reading “2026 H-1B Employer Punch List: Regulatory and Filing Considerations”
This article provides an updated summary of the implications of the expanded Travel Ban announced by the administration on December 16. BASIS – PROCLAMATION 10949 of JUNE 4, 2025 – Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats TRAVEL BAN EXPANSION …
Continue reading “Updated Summary of the Travel Ban and its Impact Post December 16”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Travel Ban Redux: June 9 Implementation Regarding 19 Countries”
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 …
Continue reading “Canadian B Visitors to the U.S.: What Does Registration Mean for You?”
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 …
Continue reading “Planning for Travel Ban 2025 – Leaked Draft includes 43 countries”
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 …
Continue reading “April 11, 2025 Registration Rule Enhanced: Foreign Nationals – Carry your Papers!”