Uncategorized

What Employers and Foreign Nationals MUST Know as of November 2025 The U.S. immigration landscape continues its relentless pace of change, particularly concerning Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Humanitarian Parole programs. As a firm committed to providing clear, actionable legal guidance in this dynamic environment, VKM Law Group alerts employers and foreign nationals to the latest updates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and key court rulings. The shifts affecting nationals from countries including Venezuela, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Ukraine are not merely policy changes; they represent immediate, critical risks to employment authorization, I-9 compliance, and lawful status.   Overview: A Volatile State of...

VKM Law Group is advising clients that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has initiated a significant procedural change affecting the B-1 in lieu of H-1B nonimmigrant visa category. U.S. embassies and consulates are now required to forward all such applications to the DOS Visa Office in Washington, D.C., for mandatory secondary review prior to issuance. This institutional shift underscores a heightened governmental concern regarding the appropriate use of this specialized classification.   What is the B-1 in Lieu of H-1B? This category permits certain foreign professionals to undertake short, specialized work assignments in the United States while remaining on the payroll of...

In the wake of President Trump’s September 19, 2025 Proclamation imposing a $100,000 filing fee on certain new H-1B petitions, USCIS has issued formal guidance clarifying how and when this steep fee will apply. While the update answers some of the most pressing employer concerns, key uncertainties remain—particularly around the payment process and narrow exception criteria. Here’s a full breakdown of what the guidance says, and what employers should do next. Summary: Who Must Pay the $100,000 H-1B Fee? According to the new USCIS guidance issued this week, the $100,000 fee applies only to a limited subset of H-1B petitions, specifically: ✅ Applies To: ...