Month: June 2026

USCIS Processing Freeze Overturned What HR and People Ops Teams Need to Know

On June 5, 2026, a federal judge struck down the USCIS “39-country adjudication pause,” completely vacating the policy nationwide and restoring processing for impacted employees. In the highly anticipated decision, the court ruled that the government’s blanket freeze on processing applications based on an applicant’s nationality was unlawful. Because the judge issued a final order of vacatur, the underlying policies […]

Written by on June 5, 2026

Update: The AOS Memo – Recent Government Statements Suggest Narrowed Scope

When USCIS issued its now infamous Policy Memorandum on Adjustment of Status on May 21, 2026,  reframing adjustment of status as a discretionary, “extraordinary” benefit rather than the routine domestic green card pathway it has been for decades, the initial reaction was alarming.   While the concern was obvious and understandable, more recent statements from USCIS appear to indicate that the impact […]

Written by on June 4, 2026

EB-2 India Visa Category Unavailable for Remainder of FY 2026

On May 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that all available employment based second preference (EB-2) immigrant visa numbers for Indian nationals have been exhausted for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The category, which category covers professionals with advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional ability in science, business, or the arts, is immediately unavailable and will remain so through September […]

Written by on June 4, 2026

The Looming F-1 Visa Crisis: What a Dramatic Drop in Student Visas Means for Employer-Sponsored Immigration Programs

A recent study reported that F-1 student visa issuances at U.S. Consulates abroad plummeted by 36% heading into the current academic year. This unprecedented disruption resulted in 97,000 fewer F-1 visas being awarded globally. This reduction has concerning implications for HR, Legal, and Global Mobility teams managing long-term global talent acquisition strategies.  At Meltzer Hellrung, we monitor and analyze how major immigration policy shifts impact day-to-day corporate immigration strategies. The following is our practical breakdown of the factors that led to […]

Written by on June 4, 2026

Overview of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)

For organizations competing for specialized talent, understanding F-1 student work authorization options can create meaningful opportunities to strengthen workforce pipelines. Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM OPT provide employers with multiple pathways to engage international students and recent graduates while evaluating long-term talent needs. While these programs are often viewed through […]

Written by on June 3, 2026