The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has abruptly implemented new rules for visa processing. These rules, while not formally announced agency-wide, have been posted on some consular websites. Though impacts are not yet clear, the new rules may potentially slow processing of many nonimmigrant visas, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and more. Employers and employees […]
On January 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela for 18 months. Re-registration is limited to individuals who previously registered for and were granted TPS under each country’s prior designation. Below is a breakdown of the requirements to qualify […]
The Issue The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for some Venezuelans. TPS was previously granted for Venezuelans in 2021 and expanded in 2023. DHS previously extended Venezuelan TPS for 18 months through October 2, 2026 for all eligible individuals. What to Expect Individuals who obtained TPS in […]
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Securing Our Borders.” A key provision of the order “terminates all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the United States.” The impacted programs include: Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Operations Allies Welcome (OAW) Family Reunification Parole (FRP) Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, […]
On January 17th, USCIS adopted new H-1B regulations, offering more clarity while not dramatically changing the requirements. These updates are more favorable than the October 2023 proposal, with one of the most significant changes being the codification of USCIS’s policy to defer to prior petitions when reviewing extensions. This ensures the Trump administration cannot issue […]
Applicants filing Form I-485 to apply for adjustment of status need to undergo an immigration medical examination, complete all necessary vaccinations, and submit a properly filled-out Form I-693, signed by a civil surgeon, to demonstrate they do not have health conditions that would make them inadmissible based on health-related grounds. Previously, applicants were not required […]
Each year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts a lottery for the 65,000 H-1B visas (plus an additional 20,000 for beneficiaries with U.S. master’s degrees). Beginning in 2020, USCIS implemented an online registration system to facilitate the lottery process. USCIS will announce the registration period within the next month. Last year USCIS […]
On January 21, 2025, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security issued directives aimed at restructuring immigration enforcement policies, including narrowing the use of humanitarian parole. The humanitarian parole program will now return to a case-by-case basis, ending broader parole programs, such as the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program. This move signals stricter […]
On January 20, 2025, the President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The primary purpose of this order is to implement enhanced screening and vetting procedures for foreign nationals seeking admission to the United States. Below is a detailed overview […]