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.
News Alert: DOS Introduces a $750 Premium Fee for Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Interviews
On June 9, 2026, The Department of State published a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) introducing an optional, paid fast-track for business and tourist travelers. For a premium fee, applicants can bypass the standard visa issuance and consular interview backlog entirely. Learn more in our News Alert.
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.
Planning for the 2026 World Cup? What Soccer Fans Need to Know About Entering the U.S.
Heading to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026? Don't let border delays ruin your tournament. U.S. border policies are shifting rapidly ahead of the summer rush. Read our quick guide on how to navigate these updates—so you can keep your focus entirely on the pitch.
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.
Crossing the Border: 5 Things Every Canadian Needs to Know Before Traveling to the U.S.
Planning a quick weekend trip to Buffalo or heading south to escape the winter chill? While Canadians enjoy some of the easiest entry requirements in the world, things have changed recently. Relying on "how it used to be" could lead to a headache at the border. Read our post to learn what’s new in 2026.
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.
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.
FAQ: USCIS Electronic Fee Payment Requirement
It's been a couple of months since the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented the new Electronic Fee payment Requirement. We've put together a quick FAQ to help you navigate this recent change and what you should know with this new requirement.
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.
News Alert: Trump administration introduces new Gold Card path to permanent residency
On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the new form, I-140G, Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program, petition for an immigrant visa under the Gold Card Program established by Executive Order 14351, The Gold Card. Learn more in our News Alert.
News Alert: USCIS Hold All Asylum and Pending Immigration Applications for Nationals of 19 Travel Ban Countries
New USCIS policy placing adjudicative hold and mandatory review on all asylum applications regardless of nationality, and on pending and recently approved benefit requests filed by nationals of high-risk countries. Learn more in our News Alert/FAQ.
News Alert: Huge Changes in Immigration ~ N-400 Naturalization Overhaul, New H-1B Fee, Weighted H-1B Lottery, and New Electronic Payment Requirement
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently released a series of significant policy updates including fundamental changes in the standards and procedures for naturalization, H-1 B visa selection and processing and the elimination of nearly all paper-based payments. Find out how this affects new applications for these immigration benefits in our News Alert.
News Alert: New USCIS Policies for N-400 Naturalization Citizenship Applicants, Military, Good Moral Conduct and Neighborhood Investigations
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a series of significant policy updates in September and August 2025 that fundamentally change the standards and procedures for naturalization. Find out how this affects new applicants, the good moral character determination, and special considerations for military service members in our News Alert.
News Alert: New $100,000 Fee Imposed for Certain H-1B Petitions to Restore Integrity
Updated: October 21, 2025
On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation, titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers," that effectively imposes a massive $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions. This Proclamation took effect on September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, and is slated to last for twelve months, with the possibility of extension. Find out who is affected, the requirements and who is exempt from this change.
News Alert: USCIS Overhauls the N-400 Naturalization Test
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the implementation of the 2025 naturalization civics test, the first in a series of planned changes to American citizenship standards, including new processes. Read more in our News Alert.
News Alert: New Visa Bond Pilot Program to Impact Certain B-1/B-2 Visa Applicants
UPDATED: May 18, 2026
The U.S. Department of State has announced a new 12-month pilot program that could significantly change the visa application process for some travelers. Effective August 20, 2025, the Visa Bond Pilot Program will require a financial bond of up to $15,000 from certain B-1/B-2 temporary visitor visa applicants. Read more in our News Alert.
News Alert: What You Need to Know About H.R. 1 USCIS Fees Update
Updated: August 1, 2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing a federal register notice (FRN) based on the H.R 1 Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 1). Asylees, Special Immigrants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants must submit the new fees with benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025.
News Alert: Trump Administration Reinstates and Expands Travel Restrictions Effective June 9th 2025
The Trump administration issues travel restrictions affecting citizens of Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen from entering the U.S. effective on Monday, June 9th 2025. Find out more in our News Alert.
FAQ: 5 things you need to know about the REAL ID
Beginning May 7, 2025, anyone 18 years and older that plans to fly domestically or visit certain Federal facilities will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification. Find out what you need to know about the REAL ID in our FAQ.