USCIS has recently issued the following clarifications regarding the Proclamation, Restrictions on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers: Who is NOT subject to the $100,000 fee: ·      The Proclamation does not apply to any previously issued and currently valid H-1B visas, or any H-1B petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, … Read more

As Congress was unable to pass a FY 2026 appropriations bill or a temporary stopgap measure to extend federal funding beyond September 30, the federal government is officially shut down as of October 1, 2025. All but “essential” personnel are furloughed. The following is an overview of how the immigration-related agencies are expected to operate … Read more

Given the unclear language of the Proclamation, entitled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, that was issued abruptly on Friday afternoon and the lack of initial guidance from the federal agencies, there was much confusion and uncertainty regarding who would be impacted and how. As a result of the widespread confusion, the White House, USCIS … Read more

Yesterday evening, President Trump issued a Proclamation restricting the entry of anyone seeking to enter or reenter the U.S. in H-1B status without payment of a new $100,000 fee. The Proclamation, entitled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, is effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT Sunday, September 21, 2025. Anyone in H-1B status who is currently abroad should … Read more

Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident can apply to become a U.S. citizen. As part of this process, applicants (with some limited exceptions) are required to successfully pass English language reading and writing tests as well as a civics test. On September 18, 2025, USCIS announced that it is reimplementing the 2020 … Read more

On September 6, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced that, effective immediately, it has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments: Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Nationals of countries where … Read more

Effective today, April 11, 2025, some foreign nationals in the United States will be required to register online with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and undergo biometrics collection and a background check. Please see here for USCIS’ published guidance on the requirement: Registration Requirement. Most foreign nationals present in the United States are considered … Read more

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 9, 2025 that it will begin considering foreign nationals’ anti-Semitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. This will immediately affect foreign nationals applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and foreign nationals affiliated … Read more

USCIS COMPLETES FY 2026 H-1B CAP SELECTIONS USCIS has announced that the quota of 85,000 H-1B cap beneficiaries was met in the registration period for employment in FY 2026, according to USCIS. The precise number of cap registrations submitted has not yet been announced. The agency has completed the regular and advanced-degree selection lotteries and … Read more

Given the current political climate, out of an abundance of caution, we strongly encourage that all foreign nationals carry a valid photo ID (passport or state ID) AND proof of their lawful status in the United States with them at all times. Specifically, as proof of lawful status, it is advisable that non-immigrants carry copies … Read more