News

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 21, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued formal guidance on the recent Presidential Proclamation mandating a $100,000 filing fee for certain H-1B petitions. This memorandum offers official confirmation of points we previously analyzed in our earlier breakdown of the proclamation. Below, we outline the key clarifications provided by USCIS and what they mean for employers, current H-1B visa holders, and prospective applicants. Key Takeaways from USCIS Policy Guidance Prospective Only The $100,000 fee only applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. Employers planning new filings should be prepared to budget accordingly. Not Retroactive Petitions...

On June 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rolled out a significant compliance update for U.S. employers who participate in E-Verify. This update introduces a new "Status Change Report" designed to help businesses identify employees whose Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) have been revoked due to the termination of their immigration parole. If your company employs individuals under humanitarian parole programs—especially Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan (CHNV) nationals—this alert should be a priority on your compliance radar. What Changed? DHS has started revoking EADs issued to certain parolees whose status has been terminated. These revocations can happen individually or in groups and...