immigration

On September 19, 2025, the President issued a Proclamation introducing a mandatory $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility for certain H-1B petitions filed on or after 12:01 a.m. (EDT) on September 21, 2025. On October 20, 2025, USCIS updated its H-1B guidance to provide additional information on when the $100,000 fee is required. Key Highlights H-1B petitions that are subject to the $100,000 payment: New H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, for individuals who: Are outside

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently proposed revisions to the regulations governing the H-1B annual lottery. Each year, the H-1B annual quota or “cap” is set at 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 H-1B visas reserved for individuals who hold a U.S. master’s degree or higher. Under the current H-1B lottery selection process, employers register each prospective H-1B employee in the lottery. Individuals who have a U.S. master’s degree or higher are eligible for selection under both the “master’s

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced Project Firewall, an H-1B enforcement initiative with the purpose of preventing H-1B abuse at the expense of American workers. Highlights: The DOL will investigate employers where “reasonable cause exists” that an employer is not in compliance with the H-1B program. Violations may result in collection of back wages owed to workers, assessment of civil money penalties, and/or debarment of an employer from future use of the H-1B program. The initiative’s announcement followed

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a Proclamation impacting H-1B petitions. The Proclamation, entitled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” implements a $100,000 fee on all new H-1B petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. EST on September 21, 2025. While key details have yet to be announced and legal challenges could delay implementation, here is what we know so far: The fee will only apply prospectively to H-1B petitions filed during the 2026 H-1B lottery, and any other “new”

On September 18, 2025, USCIS published changes to the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test in the Federal Register. Specifically, USCIS will reinstate the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test utilized during the first Trump administration. This heightened civics test was repealed by the Biden administration in favor of the 2008 version of the civics test currently in use. Here are the key changes: Study guide materials will now include a bank of 128 questions. Previously, applicants studied a bank of 100 questions, During

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule granting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expanded law enforcement authority, marking a significant shift in the agency’s role. Under this rule, USCIS special agents will now be empowered to investigate, arrest, and present individuals for prosecution in connection with violations of U.S. immigration laws. The USCIS enforcement agents will be able to make arrests, carry firearms, execute search and arrest warrants, and perform other duties traditionally associated with

Effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State is updating its nonimmigrant visa interview waiver policy to narrow the categories of applicants who may be eligible for an interview waiver. This change will require in-person interviews for most visa categories, including applicants renewing a visa or with a previously issued visa in good standing. Temporary Interview Waivers Ended Applicants under 14 years old and over 79 years old will no longer be categorically exempt from interview requirements and will

On June 18, 2025, after a pause on student visa appointments, the Department of State issued guidance to embassies and consular sections with new directives for screening the social media of F, M and J visa applicants. Policy Updates: Social Media Screening for Political Activity Consular officers are now instructed to review student visa applicants’ online presence for “any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States,” as well as any “advocacy

On June 4, 2025, the Trump administration announced new travel restrictions in a proclamation effective on June 9, 2025. These measures impose full or partial entry bans on nationals from 19 countries. FULL SUSPENSION: Nationals from the following 12 countries are subject to a full suspension on entry into the U.S. Afghanistan Burma Chad Republic of Congo Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Haiti Iran Libya Somalia Sudan Yemen PARTIAL SUSPENSION: Immigrants and Nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, or J visas

DHS has announced that it will begin screening the social media of noncitizens as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests on the basis of antisemitic activity. This policy will impact individuals applying for green cards, foreign students, and individuals affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity. In recent days, the visas of international students have been revoked without notice at colleges and universities across the country. International students should check with the Designated School Official (DSO) at their school