News

President Trump announced plans to offer a 'gold card' visa for the cost of $5 million. It will replace the EB-5 visa for investors but will still count as a form of lawful permanent resident status.

A group of attorneys general from twenty-one states and D.C. scored some of the first wins against the Trump Birthright Citizenship ban. The attorneys’ success lies in cooperation and timely preparation. Even before President Trump was sworn into office, groups began drawing up plans for collaborative legal resistance.

The Trump administration’s cuts to employees in government agencies will increase backlogs in areas like visa applications and processing. To maximize the odds for visa acceptance, applicants must plan as far in advance as possible.

A recent executive order reduced the size of the Immigration Appeals Board from 28 to 15 members. Critics argue the move is illogical and politically motivated. The mass firing echoes the one in 2002 when the Bush administration removed members viewed as too sympathetic to immigrants.

The DOJ terminated several immigrant judges amidst one of the largest immigration enforcement efforts in recent history. Critics suspect political motivation.

Under the new rules of the 2025 H-1B visa, USCIS now has the authority to deny or revoke the visa petition outright based on the information on record at the time, employers should thus plan to fully cooperate during site visits.

Refugees sue President Trump for U.S. refugee program suspension and withholding funds from refugee services. Several organizations joined the refugees as plaintiffs.

New rule changes to the 2025 H-1B visa application and selection process strengthen the definition of specialty occupation, provide greater power to USCIS to deny/revoke approvals for employers who do not cooperate during site visits, and streamline approvals for extension petitions where deference to a past decision is warranted.

Under the current administration, 2025 H-1B visa holders and applicants should anticipate increased scrutiny at both consulate sites and U.S. ports of entry. H-1B visa holders should be aware that CBP can go through their phones, laptops, messages, emails, etc. and if any information is discovered which contradicts their approved employment or purpose in coming to the U.S., they will be denied entry and returned to their home country.

The US Welcome Corps suspended due to implications of the January 20th, 2025 Securing our Borders Executive Order. New application submission and current in-review applications are halted until further notice.