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”
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 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!”
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 …
Continue reading “Immigration Compliance for Employers in 2025: Guide to Worksite Audits”
As we approach 2025 with the threat of impending mass deportation[1] of those without legal immigration status in the United States (U.S.), it is important for foreign nationals lawfully here to remember what documents they are obligated to maintain in their possession under federal law. In addition, any assessment of legal status by law enforcement …
Continue reading “Walking While Foreign: Documenting Immigration Status in 2025”
On November 1, certain Texas hospitals must comply with an Executive Order issued by Governor Greg Abbott on August 8, 2024 (Order), requiring them to document medical costs related to the care of individuals without legal immigration status. Governor Abbott provided the following statement explaining the reasoning behind his Order: “Due to President Joe Biden …