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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has delivered a significant blow to employment continuity for many foreign national workers. Effective immediately, the 540-day automatic extension for most Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applicants has officially ended under the Interim Final Rule published on October 30, 2025. This is not a minor adjustment; it is a fundamental shift in I-9 compliance and workforce management that demands immediate action from every HR professional and employer utilizing foreign talent. The Immediate Threat to Workforce Stability Previously, the extended 540-day window allowed employees to maintain work authorization while USCIS processed often lengthy EAD renewals. That safety net...

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...