September 2, 2026 Parents With Citizen Children Must Prove Legal Status for Passports
September 2, 2026 Proposed Changes to H-4 Visa Spousal Employment
September 2, 2026 Unregistered Voluntary Departure Comes with a Price
September 2, 2026 USCIS Reinstates Neighborhood Investigations for Citizenship Applicants
September 2, 2026 State Department Proposes Fee Payment for Expedited Visa Interviews
August 28, 2026 Judge Denies Bid to Force Extradition of ICE Agent
August 30, 2024
Updated Vetting Process Included with Reactivated Immigration Program
The immigration program offering qualifying individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come to the U.S. is now resumed with an updated vetting approach.
August 30, 2024
Citizenship Bid Rejected Despite 21-Year Gov’t Delay
Despite a 21 year delay in addressing the issue, an individual's U.S. citizenship status was reversed, following two legal efforts to retain status.
August 29, 2024
Timeframe Tightened for DHS to File Notice to Appear
The Executive Office for Immigration Review released a policy memorandum clarifying requirements as to the timing required by DHS to file a Notice to Appear.
August 28, 2024
USCIS Policy Manual Update to OPT Eligibility for STEM Fields
USCIS updated their Policy Manual for OPT eligibility for STEM majors. In the update, USCIS clarifies guidance for F and M nonimmigrant students and their eligibility for OPT programs in STEM fields.
August 28, 2024
Keeping Families Together, Mixed Status Parole Program Paused
Keeping Families Together, the mixed status parole program, is now paused for fourteen days, following a lawsuit filed by a group of states including Texas. Applications can continue to be submitted.
August 22, 2024
U.S. Embassy in Cuba Expanding Some Visa Services
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba is expanding interview services for qualifying individuals for specific visa types. Visitor visa interview appointments are not available.
August 19, 2024
Employment-Based Petition Reforms on DHS 2025 Agenda
DHS released an agenda outlining potential employment-based petition reforms in their 2025 plans. Among the items to be reviewed are the rules that guide extraordinary ability, among others.
August 17, 2024
Filing Guide for Keeping Families Together Program Published
The Keeping Families Together program for mixed status families to parole in place opens Monday August 19, 2024. Qualifying individuals can apply online only, including spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens.
August 15, 2024
Data Breach Reportedly Includes Social Security Number of Most Americans
A recent data breach exposed an estimated 2.7 billion records including social security number, address, and more, exposing most Americans. Take time to protect yourself now.
August 15, 2024
Asylum Processing at Northern Border To Be Expedited
Asylum processing at the northern U.S. border to Canada will soon be expedited, using similar but not precisely the same approach as processing at the southern border.
August 15, 2024
Diversity Visa Lottery Winners Challenge Full Circuit Court
A group of 2020 and 2021 Diversity Visa lottery winners are challenging the full D.C. circuit court to reconsider a previous panel judge finding that the U.S. is not required to process submitted visas.
August 12, 2024
USCIS Guidance Drives Increase in O-1A, National Interest Waiver Visas
The January 2022 guidance on O-1A and National Interest Waiver visas drove an increase in applications. However, attention to detail is required for a successful outcome.
August 8, 2024
September 2024 Visa Bulletin: Most Categories Unchanged, Retrogression in EB-3
The September 2024 Visa Bulletin shows little to no advancement and a year of retrogression for the EB-3 employment-based visa, which is unsurprising at the end of the government's fiscal year.
August 6, 2024
Parole Processing Paused for Four Countries Due to Fraud Concerns
The Biden administration temporarily paused parole processing for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela due to concerns over fraud for financial support providers.
August 5, 2024
H-1B Spousal Work Permits Supported, per DC Circuit
A D.C. circuit court upheld DHS' authority to provide H-1B spousal work permits. The subject of a series of lawsuits, the H-4 visa and employment authorization benefits stand.
August 5, 2024
Second FY2025 H-1B Cap Selection Complete – New Fees Required
USCIS completed the second FY2025 H-1B cap selection. As these petitions will be filed after April 1, 2024, the new fee structure is in effect for both the Form I-129 and Premium Processing.
August 5, 2024
CIS Ombudsman Regional Representatives Expansion
CIS Ombudsman representatives are now placed in four U.S. regions. Their role is to identify regional issues, gather information as to stakeholders interaction with USCIS, and others. They do not support individual cases.
August 3, 2024
DHS Site Visits Increase for STEM OPTs
ILBSG is seeing an increase in DHS site visits for STEM OPT programs. As always, employers should be prepared for a visit, ensuring files are properly maintained.
August 1, 2024
New Bill Introduced to Keep STEM Graduates in U.S.
A bill has been introduced to ease the post-graduation transition of foreign U.S. university STEM graduates. Among the proposed changes are increasing the number of available visas and making the extension of stay policies more flexible.
July 31, 2024
Search Warrant Now Required for Phone Search by Customs Agents in New York
Federal judge finds a phone search is not legal without a warrant at U.S. ports of entry. This applies to New York's eastern district at this time.
