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 […]

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 […]

The India Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently completed a comprehensive structural overhaul of India’s border entry infrastructure and the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) program. This transition eliminates legacy paper workflows in favor of an automated, unified digital ecosystem.  1. Mandatory e-Arrival Cards at Entry Implementing India’s move toward a paperless border, the government has permanently discontinued physical, paper disembarkation cards at […]

The Issue On May 22, 2026, USCIS released Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, directing immigration officers to treat adjustment of status as an “extraordinary discretionary relief” , a significant departure from longstanding agency practice. The memo frames adjustment of status as a privilege rather than a routine pathway, stating that it is “a matter of discretion and […]

On April 28, 2026, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide directive requiring consular officers to ask two specific asylum-related questions during all nonimmigrant visa interviews. The directive mandates that consular officers more proactively prevent the misuse of nonimmigrant visas by individuals intending to seek asylum, alleging that current vetting is insufficient.   Whether foreign nationals are applying for a tourist visa (B1/B2), a student […]

Starting May 29, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin enforcing severe penalties for non-payment of the recently implemented  Annual Asylum Fee (AAF). While this fee primarily affects individual asylum applicants, the consequences for their employers are immediate and significant, potentially disrupting workforce continuity overnight.    What is the New Annual Asylum Fee?  As a result of a recent rule change, individuals with […]