News

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that they will be publishing an Interim Final Rule (IFR) tomorrow (October 30, 2025) which terminates the automatic extension of certain employment authorization documents (EADs).

In order to work in the U.S., individuals must provide evidence that they have employment authorization from the government. U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents have documentation to show this. Those in the U.S. in nonimmigrant visa statuses that allow them to work incidental to their statuses (e.g., H-1B, O-1, TN, L-1A, L-1B) have their documentation as well. Certain individuals rely however on having valid EADs. These include...

On September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Proclamation announcing an additional fee of $100,000 that employers would have to pay in connection with H-1B petitions for individuals outside of the United States. The requirement would take effect on 12:01AM Eastern Daylight Time on September 21, 2025. The Proclamation generated a lot of questions including whether individuals seeking H-1B status would have to rush back to the United States prior to the effective date. Since then, government agencies have issued communications but crucial questions remain unanswered. There have also been two high profile lawsuits filed against the government, including...

On Friday afternoon, September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Proclamation 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...

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...