Blog

When the U.S. federal government experiences a funding lapse, as it has most recently at 12:01 AM on October 1, 2025, the effects ripple through every sector of the country, including immigration services. Whether you’re an employer sponsoring foreign talent or an individual waiting on a visa, it’s essential to understand how a shutdown may impact your immigration plans.   What Is a Government Shutdown? A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass the necessary funding legislation to keep federal agencies operational. As a result, agencies that rely on annual congressional appropriations either scale back significantly or close altogether. Some immigration-related departments are...

On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rolled out Project Firewall. It is a bold new enforcement initiative designed to crack down on fraud, wage abuse, and misuse of the H-1B visa program. This comes right on the heels of the Presidential Proclamation imposing a $100,000 filing fee on new H-1B petitions. Together, these moves make one thing crystal clear: the federal government is getting serious about reshaping the H-1B landscape and putting U.S. workers first. What Is Project Firewall? For the first time in the history of the H-1B program, we’re seeing enforcement at this level of visibility and...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced significant updates to the naturalization civics test, the first major revision in years. These changes, set to take effect in 2025, are part of USCIS’s broader initiative to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. citizenship process. For individuals planning to apply for naturalization, understanding these updates is critical. Below, we break down what’s changing, why it matters, and how applicants can prepare.   What’s Changing in the Naturalization Test? The 2025 version of the civics test is designed to more thoroughly measure applicants’ understanding of U.S. history, government, English proficiency, and civic values. Key Highlights of...