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On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule establishing a fixed time period for admission and extension of stay for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors and representatives of foreign information media (I visa holders). This article discusses the impact on F-1 and J-1 foreign nationals but does not […]
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On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it has received enough H-1B Cap-Subject applications to reach the congressionally mandated maximum of H-1B visas for Fiscal Year 2027. Background: The H-1B nonimmigrant status/visa is an employer sponsored temporary work status for foreign national professional workers in specialty occupations in the United States. The H-1B process […]
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In July 2025, the Department of State announced it would complete “enhanced vetting” of F, J and M student visa applicants, requiring those individuals to set all social media profiles to “open/public” prior to visa interviews abroad. In December 2025, the Department of State expanded the enhanced vetting to H-1B visa applicants as well. On […]
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ENGLISH El 21 de mayo de 2026, el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) publicó un nuevo memorándum de política, “El ajuste de estatus es una cuestión de discreción y gracia administrativa, y una medida de alivio extraordinaria que permite a los solicitantes prescindir del proceso consular ordinario de visado,” que […]
Continue Reading Español On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new Policy Memorandum, “Adjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process,” that is causing alarm among many foreign nationals in the United States who […]
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On May 18, 2026, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced a Title 42 Order, pursuant to Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, related to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. As background, Title 42 is a law that allows the CDC to […]
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Most international students that come to the United States for school will enter the United States on an F-1 Visa. Optional practical training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. In general, eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic […]
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The Trump Administration continues to impose pauses and bans on noncitizens from certain countries who are seeking visas and immigration benefits in the United States. This post provides an update on the status of these limitations as of April 23, 2026. USCIS Adjudication Pause on I-589 Asylum Applications USCIS’s total pause on adjudicating I-589 […]
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On January 30, 2026, USCIS announced information for the initial registration period for the FY2027 H-1B cap. The fiscal year will run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. Individuals selected in this year’s H-1B lottery who then submit an H-1B petition that is approved, may begin working in H-1B Status on October 1, […]
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We are at a frightening crossroads in our country. Two U.S. citizens have been killed standing up for the due process rights of their neighbors. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sent thousands of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to Minneapolis, a city with a large refugee […]
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ENGLISH El 14 de enero de 2026, el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos anunció una nueva política radical: la suspensión de la expedición de visados de inmigrante para los nacionales de 75 países, justificada por el hecho de que estas nacionalidades presentan un «alto riesgo de uso de prestaciones públicas». A partir del […]
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Español On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced a sweeping new policy: a pause on immigrant visa issuances for nationals of 75 countries, justified on the grounds that these nationalities are at “high risk of public benefits usage.” Effective January 21, 2026, consular posts around the world will continue interviewing applicants from […]
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