FAQ, Tips, Professionals, Entrepreneurs Angela Torregoza FAQ, Tips, Professionals, Entrepreneurs Angela Torregoza

FAQ: Understanding the E-2 Employee Visa (Executive and Essential)

When discussing the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, most attention centers on the principal entrepreneur—the investor placing capital into a U.S. business. However, E-2 businesses can also hire key foreign personnel through the E-2 Employee classification. E-2 employee roles are strictly split into two categories: Executive/Supervisory roles and Essential Employees possessing Specialized Knowledge. Find out more in our FAQ.

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FAQ, Tips, Artists Angela Torregoza FAQ, Tips, Artists Angela Torregoza

Filing Tips: How Artists & Creatives Transition from an O-1B Visa to an EB-1 Green Card

For visual artists, creatives in fashion, performing artists, and culinary visionaries, securing an O-1B visa (Extraordinary Ability in the Arts) is a major career milestone. It grants temporary authorization to work in the United States based on your high level of achievement and national or international recognition in your creative field. But what if you want something more permanent? Learn more in our Filing Tips.

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News Alert: Expanded screening and vetting requirement for visa applicants effective October 1st

Effective October 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State expands its online presence and public social media vetting requirements for visa applicants. This policy shift extends comprehensive digital screening to foreign journalists (I visas) and USMCA professionals (TN/TD visas), aligning them with requirements already in place for student (F/M) and exchange visitor (J) visa holders. Learn more in our News Alert.

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FAQ, Tips, Artists Angela Torregoza FAQ, Tips, Artists Angela Torregoza

Filing Tips: Do You Qualify for an EB-1A? A Deep Dive Into the 10 Regulatory Criteria

The EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) green card is widely considered the crown jewel of employment-based U.S. immigration. It offers permanent residency without requiring a U.S. employer sponsor, a job offer, or a labor certification. Here is a breakdown of the 10 criteria, what USCIS adjudicators actually look for under the Policy Manual, and how to position your evidence for success.

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FAQ: What Mexicans on H-1B, O-1, TN Status Need to Know When Crossing the U.S. border

Whether you are planning a shopping trip across the border, vacationing in the U.S., or traveling for professional employment under USMCA (TN), H-1B, or O-1 status, entering the United States as a Mexican citizen involves strict immigration protocols. Learn more in our FAQ.

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FAQ: What Canadians on H-1B, O-1, TN Status Need to Know When Crossing the U.S. border

Canadians enjoy some of the easiest entry requirements into the United States, but things have changed recently. Based on guidance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and recent processing experience, learn more about the latest for Canadians under a USMCA/TN, H-1B, or O-1 status in 2026.

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News Alerts, FAQ, Español Angela Torregoza News Alerts, FAQ, Español Angela Torregoza

Alerta de Noticias: Cuidado con los Estafadores que Apuntan a Inmigrantes ante el Aumento Nacional de Estafas

En los últimos meses, abogados de inmigración, representantes acreditados por el Departamento de Justicia (DOJ) y organizaciones de asistencia legal en todo Estados Unidos han observado un fuerte aumento en estafas de suplantación de identidad sofisticadas y altamente coordinadas dirigidas a las comunidades inmigrantes. Descubra cómo protegerse en nuestra Alerta de Noticias.

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News Alerts Angela Torregoza News Alerts Angela Torregoza

News Alert: The Dorcas v. USCIS Decision, the Status of Frozen Cases, and Realistic Processing Timelines

In early June 2026, a federal district court in Rhode Island delivered a major blow to recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies. In the federal case, Dorcas Int'l Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, a judge officially struck down and vacated four highly controversial internal USCIS policies, mostly centered around the adjudication hold for asylum processing and applications for immigration benefits for individuals from 39 travel ban countries. Learn more in our News Alert.

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FAQ, News Alerts Angela Torregoza FAQ, News Alerts Angela Torregoza

News Alert: USCIS Policy Reframes Adjustment of Status as "Extraordinary Relief" as Agency Pushes Consular Processing

On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) dropped a major policy shift with the publication of Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, titled “Adjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process,” sending shockwaves through the immigration community. It fundamentally changes the framework through which immigration officers view Form I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications. Learn more in our FAQ/News Alert.

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News Alerts, Español Angela Torregoza News Alerts, Español Angela Torregoza

Alerta de noticias: Más restricciones de viaje y países añadidos en la Prohibición de Viajes de Trump; exenciones para atletas y diplomáticos 

El 16 de diciembre de 2025, la administración Trump publicó una nueva política de inmigración que incluye restricciones adicionales para los ciudadanos de los 19 países afectados por la prohibición de viajar y añade más países a la lista, aunque contempla excepciones específicas para deportistas y diplomáticos. El 1 de enero de 2026, la administración publicó una lista de tipos de solicitudes exentas de la suspensión temporal del procesamiento de solicitudes pendientes. Para más información, consulte nuestra Alerta de Noticias.

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News Alert: Immigrant Visa Processing Paused for Nationals of 75 Countries

The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant shift in immigration policy, impacting nationals from 75 countries deemed at "high risk" of public benefits usage. Following a directive from the Trump administration, the government is pausing the issuance of all immigrant visas for these nationalities effective January 21, 2026. Learn more in our News Alert.

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News Alerts, Professionals Angela Torregoza News Alerts, Professionals Angela Torregoza

News Alert: New Year, New H-1B Rules - what you need to know

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially finalized a rule that fundamentally changes how H-1B visas are allocated. Moving away from the traditional "luck of the draw" random lottery, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now implement a weighted selection process designed to favor higher-skilled and higher-paid workers. Learn more in our News Alert.

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News Alerts Angela Torregoza News Alerts Angela Torregoza

News Alert: More travel restrictions and countries added in Trump Travel Ban; exemptions for athletes and diplomats

Updated January 1, 2026

On December 16th 2025, the Trump administration released a new immigration policy containing additional restrictions for nationals of the 19 travel ban countries and adding more countries to the list, but includes detailed carve outs for athletes and diplomats. On January 1, 2026, the administration released a list of application types exempt from the adjudicative hold on pending applications. Learn more in our News Alert.

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