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Even as the government shutdown causes widespread uncertainty, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will continue processing H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and CW-1 petitions. However, employers and petitioners should note that delays may occur due to limited access to Department of Labor (DOL) certifications, which are necessary for filing certain petitions such as Form I-129 and Form I-129CW. If a delay in filing results directly from the shutdown, USCIS may treat it as an extraordinary circumstance and exercise discretion to excuse late submissions provided all other eligibility requirements are met. USCIS will continue to monitor the situation and release...

In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge William G. Young reaffirmed that international students and faculty members are entitled to the same First Amendment protections as U.S. citizens. The ruling struck down a Trump-era policy that aimed to penalize noncitizen students and educators specifically for engaging in pro-Palestinian political expression by subjecting them to arrest or deportation. Judge Young’s decision underscores a fundamental constitutional principle: freedom of speech applies to everyone within the United States, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This ruling reinforces that American academic institutions and public forums must continue to serve as spaces for diverse perspectives and...

The landscape of immigration enforcement in the U.S. is changing rapidly and employers are feeling the impact. A recent federal raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia, resulting in nearly 500 arrests, has sent a strong message: worksite immigration enforcement is back in full force. This unprecedented operation the largest of its kind in U.S. history highlights the government’s renewed focus on high-profile enforcement actions aimed at deterring unauthorized employment.   The Growing Enforcement Trend Since early 2025, large-scale federal operations have been reported across multiple states, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Texas. These coordinated actions are part of...