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This afternoon, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) that impacts the H-1B program – one of the most popular visa programs for U.S. employers hiring professionals. The H-1B program is available where a U.S. employer offers a specialty occupation position, one that requires at least a degree in a specific field, and where the employer promises to pay a wage that is at or above the prevailing wage for the geographic area in which the worksite is located. Each year there is more demand than availability of such visas. The EO frames the measure as a response to...

Having good moral character (GMC) has been a long-standing requirement for naturalization, i.e., application to become a U.S. citizen. According to the USCIS Policy Manual, “GMC means character which measures up to the standards of average citizens of the community in which the applicant resides.”

This has mainly been a question of whether someone has committed any crimes, not only in the U.S. but anywhere in the world. USCIS’s own policy manual goes into depth concerning what crimes would render one not having GMC and also allows for factors that an officer should consider, including the reformation of the applicant’s...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: More individuals will have to appear at US Consulates for visa issuance. When staffing is lower than usual and there is additional screening of visa applicants, please plan for increased processing delays.

Individuals who are seeking to enter the U.S., or who have left and are returning to the U.S., must have a valid nonimmigrant visa in their passport that corresponds with the visa classification they are seeking. This means that someone who wishes to enter the U.S. as a student must first obtain a student visa at the U.S. consulate, or someone who wishes to enter the...

On July 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) transmitted a proposed rule titled “Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions” to the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review.

While the full text of the proposed rule has not yet been made public, it is expected to resemble a similar rule introduced during the first Trump administration. That earlier version was ultimately vacated by a federal district court and withdrawn by the Biden administration.

The new proposal is likely to implement...

Since May 27, 2025, U.S. consular posts abroad have paused scheduling visa appointments for Students and Exchange Visitors, particularly those seeking to enter the U.S. in F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa status. On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued guidance to U.S. consular posts requiring them to conduct expanded social media screening for anyone applying for an F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa to enter the U.S. These are to be implemented by Monday, June 23, 2025. We have reports that interview scheduling has just resumed.

Consular officers must now review the online presence of student and...

On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order entitled “Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University.”

This order does the following three actions:

Suspends entry for anyone coming to the US to study at Harvard University under F, M, or J status. It specifically says that those studying at other universities are not impacted. This proclamation remains in effect until December 6, 2025. By September 6, 2025, a recommendation will be made whether to extend this suspension of entry. Exceptions shall be made where there is a national interest as determined by the Department...