Caution when Posting Political Messages on Social Media
Blatant Antisemitism in social media posts will bar U.S. entry as per USCIS guidance here: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-to-begin-screening-aliens-social-media-activity-for-antisemitism
Biological Sex of Person Determinative for USCIS
The biological sex of a person will control the gender option on federal immigration documents. See updated USCIS manual here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20250402-RecognizingMaleAndFemaleSexes.pdf. Also see the Department of State’s issued update here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/sex-marker.html
PERM and Prevailing Wage Processing Times as of April 1st, 2025
The Labor Department updates processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determinations here: https://flag.dol.gov/processingtimes
Final Rule on F-1 Student Visa Reflected in Updated Form I-9 Employer Handbook
F-1s who are awaiting their H-1B decision are now given cap gap authorization on their expiring OPT until April of the following year as briefly explained here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/form-i-9-handbook-updated-to-reflect-final-rule-for-eligible-f-1-students
H-1B Visa Cap Reached for FY 2026
USCIS announced it has received enough new cases to meet the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B cap. Read more here: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-fiscal-year-2026-h-1b-cap
Final Rule for New Registration Requirements for Certain Noncitizen Immigrants Issued by USCIS
As the result of an Executive Order issued in January, USCIS will now require noncitizen immigrants to undergo a new “alien registration” process. All foreign nationals who are age 14 or older who were not registered and fingerprinted when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30...
Final Rule for New Registration Requirements for Certain Noncitizen Immigrants Issued by USCIS Continue reading…COVID-19 Vaccinations No Longer Required
The U.S. State Department no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination for green card applicants. Updated vaccination requirements can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements
Get to Know the New Secretary of Labor
The newly appointed Secretary of Labor is Ms. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, making her ultimately responsible for running PERMs and DOL Audits. Read more on her mission here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/osec
H-1B Cap Registration Opens March 7
Fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B Cap Registration will run from March 7 to March 24. Keep up on USCIS policy outlining H-1B Cap filing procedures and updates about reaching the cap here: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations/h-1b-electronic-registration-process
Requirements for a Waiver of Interview for visa stamping at U.S. Consulates Was Updated
The U.S. Department of State recently updated the requirements for a waiver of the visa stamping interview for people who are diplomats or who have been interviewed recently at a US consulate. Read more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/interview-waiver-update-feb-18-2025.html Meanwhile, citizens of the following countries are exempt from needing...
Requirements for a Waiver of Interview for visa stamping at U.S. Consulates Was Updated Continue reading…Form I-140 Submission Procedure Updated
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a Federal Register notice providing updated procedures for submitting a Form I-140 whether for PERM, Schedule A Occupations or NIWs. Read more here: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-filing-procedures-for-form-i-140
O-1 Visas for People of Extraordinary Ability get Updated Policy Guidelines
These updated policies will make some requirements of the temporary visa called O-1 Extraordinary Ability category easier to document and win. Read more under USCIS’s O-1 Policy here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-m-chapter-4 But keep in mind that for the green card equivalent category called EB-1A, the position must meet...
O-1 Visas for People of Extraordinary Ability get Updated Policy Guidelines Continue reading…