January 30, 2025 Venezuela Temporary Protection Status Revoked
January 30, 2025 Undocumented Immigrants to be Deported Without Due Process Per Laken Riley Act
January 29, 2025 Battle Anticipated by Immigrant Rights Attorney as Trump Returns
January 28, 2025 Sanctuary City Leaders Called to Testify Regarding Policies
January 27, 2025 Immigration Enforcement Ramps Up in U.S. Cities
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.
July 30, 2024
Second FY2025 H-1B Regular Cap Petition Selection Announced
USCIS announced a second FY2025 H-1B regular cap selection is needed in order to reach the numerical allocation.
July 25, 2024
Updates to IER Investment and Revenue Threshold
USCIS updated the International Entrepreneur Rule or IER investment and revenue threshold figures, as required by law. The process is completed every three years. No fee change is included.
July 23, 2024
H-1B and L-1 Visa Fee Rule Legality Questioned
Immigration attorneys are challenging the DHS proposed H-1B and L-1 visa fee rule that requires some employers to pay the biometric fee for extension of stay requests.
July 22, 2024
Employment Immigration Plans for Rest of Year from White House
The White House released their employment immigration plans for the balance of 2024, including H-1B and H-2 updates, among others.
July 19, 2024
USCIS Updates Guidance on U.S. Citizenship for Children
USCIS updated guidance in the Policy Manual for U.S. citizenship for children. Specific qualifications and processes are clarified and effective immediately.
July 18, 2024
Green Card Process for Mixed-Status Families Opens August 19
Applications for lawful permanent residence status, or a green card, open August 19, 2024, for noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens. Certain qualifications apply. Do not apply prior to August 19, 2024.
July 17, 2024
U.S. Southwest Border Encounters Drop by Over 50 Percent in Six Weeks
Encounters between ports of entry at the U.S. southwest border dropped by over 50% since President Biden's executive order suspending asylum processing when certain thresholds are met.
July 16, 2024
U.S. Mayors Endorse Proposed Heartland Visa
A proposed new employment-based visa program, the Heartland Visa, aims to attract foreign highly skilled workers to the heartland of the U.S. The proposal is endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
July 16, 2024
Yemen Temporary Protected Status Extended
The Temporary Protected Status for Yemen has been extended. The program is extended for 18 months, from September 4, 2024, to March 3, 2026. Specific qualifications apply.
July 15, 2024
CBO Finds Immigration Boosts U.S. Economy
Immigration is shown to boost the U.S. economy per a report from the Congressional Budget Office. The benefit includes an increase in the labor pool and increased consumer spending.
July 15, 2024
USCIS Updates Entrepreneur Visa Program
USCIS released updated information about the International Entrepreneur Rule and parole program, including clarifying requirements and qualifying evidence.
July 10, 2024
August 2024 Visa Bulletin: Small Advancement in EB-2 and EB-3 India
USCIS released the August 2024 Visa Bulletin. At the time of writing, the specific chart individuals already living in the U.S. should use is not yet finalized. Follow us for updates as they are announced.