On January 23, 2025, the lawsuit was officially filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, highlighting the severe constitutional conflicts posed by the order and seeking an immediate injunction to halt its enforcement. Immigrants’ rights organizations have initiated legal action against the Trump Administration in response to an executive order aimed at denying U.S.…
The H-1B cap registration period for the Fiscal Year 2026 will officially open on March 1, 2025, and will run until March 17, 2025. During this period, employers must submit electronic registrations for prospective H-1B employees through the USCIS online system. The annual quota remains 85,000 visas, including the 65,000 regular cap and the 20,000 advanced degree exemption (Master’s cap).…
The Department of Homeland Security’s final rules for the H-1B and H-2 visa programs took effect on January 17, 2025, introducing updated requirements to modernize and enhance these programs. On the same date, USCIS released a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date 01/17/25), which incorporates changes aligned with the new rules. This revised form becomes mandatory…
As of January 22, 2025, USCIS no longer mandates that applicants seeking adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. The agency will neither issue Requests for Evidence nor Notices of Intent to Deny based on missing COVID-19 vaccination proof and will not deny applications…
Effective January 15, 2025, USCIS updated its policy guidance on evaluating EB-2 petitions with national interest waiver (NIW) requests. The update clarifies requirements for advanced degree professionals and individuals with exceptional ability, detailing how their qualifications and proposed endeavors are assessed. It also explains how USCIS evaluates evidence, such as support letters and business plans, to determine national importance and…
January visa bulletin stayed the same as December 2024. USCIS determined that for January 2024, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart. According to the January 2024 visa bulletin, the priority date for the Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of…
Effective from December 9, 2024, the Department of State (DOS) updated the J-1 Exchange Visitors Skills List, which determines if J-1 visa holders must fulfill the two-year home residency requirement under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Turkey is among several countries removed from the updated list, including China, India, Argentina, and others. While the skills categories remain…
Effective from December 2, 2024, USCIS requires applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to include Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Applications missing this form may be rejected to reduce Requests for Evidence (RFEs) during processing. USCIS has not clarified which applications might be accepted or rejected without the required…
Starting January 13, 2025, DHS permanently extended the automatic renewal period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to 540 days for eligible categories such as pending asylum applicants, spouses of principal E-1, E-2, E-3 and L-1 unexpired I-94 showing their status. This measure addresses significant processing delays and aims to reduce employment disruptions for affected individuals. Please see the following link…
The incoming Trump Administration may try to end DACA and DACA Advance Parole, prompting many DACA recipients to explore ways to secure H-1B or other visas abroad. Around 40% of DACA beneficiaries can get H-1B visas without additional waivers, but about 60%—mostly older recipients—might face challenges due to unlawful presence bars. On July 15, 2024, the Department of State introduced…
