Immigration Insights & Issues Blog
Key legal insights into modern immigration challenges.
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”
Effective December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will require all H-1B professional workers and H-4 dependents to make their social-media profiles publicly viewable so consular officers can conduct an “online presence review.” This screening requirement, previously applied primarily to students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J visa categories, now …
Continue reading “New State Department Social-Media Review: Implications for H-1B Employers”
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 …
Continue reading “Rising Scrutiny in Employment-Based Visas: What Employers Must Prepare For”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Key Government Takeaways from the 2025 AILA Conference”
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”
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”
Effective December 2, 2024, certain applicants applying for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to permanent residence must now submit the required Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (I-693) concurrently with their I-485 adjustment application. This change by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was made to expedite processing times and reduce delays in …
Continue reading “Avoid Rejection: Submit I-693 with I-485 Adjustment Application”
Amid the ever-evolving landscape of business and workforce dynamics, the recent buzz around the H-2B visa lottery has sent ripples of anticipation and concern through companies reliant on foreign workers. As immigration and labor shortages continue to weave intricate challenges, the opportunity to secure additional H-2B visa numbers opens a new chapter of possibilities and …
Continue reading “Grab Your Shot: Supplemental H-2B Visas for Those Who Missed the Lottery”