Department of State

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The U.S. Department of State has announced resumption of student and exchange visitor visa processing, along with expanded digital vetting procedures. The June 18, 2025, press release, “Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants,” aligns with guidance issued the same day to consular posts in a cable, “Action Request: Expanding Screening…

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation suspending entry to the U.S. for nationals of 19 countries on June 4, 2025. The proclamation stated that the designated countries are so deficient in their information screening and vetting that a suspension on the entry of nationals from those countries is necessary. “Presidential Proclamation Restricting the Entry…

  • New student visa interviews are temporarily paused as of 05.27.25 to implement enhanced social media and security screening.
  • Applicants with existing appointments are likely not affected, but new applicants will face delays.
  • Consular officers are instructed to scrutinize applicants’ online presence, including private or limited social media accounts or the lack of any online
…

The U.S. State Department’s “Catch and Revoke” program uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor foreign nationals, particularly student visa holders. The program aims to identify individuals who express support for Hamas, Hezbollah, or other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations through social media activity or participation in protests and revoke their visas. To date, approximately 300 foreign nationals…

Takeaways

  • The initial drawing includes registrants under both the 65,000 regular cap and the 20,000 master’s cap.
  • Employers and attorneys have been notified of selection results through their myUSCIS accounts.
  • H-1B petitions must be filed between 04.01.25 and 06.30.25 to use the cap selection.

USCIS announced on Mar. 31, 2025, that it has completed the…

The Trump Administration is reportedly finalizing a new travel ban that will prohibit or severely limit the citizens of more than 40 countries from entering the United States.

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) aimed at enhancing vetting procedures. This EO directed the secretary of state, the attorney…

President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14204, “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” on Feb. 7, 2025, creating an exception to the refugee ban, driven by concerns over South Africa’s racially discriminatory property confiscation practices.

EO 14204 follows the enactment of South Africa’s Expropriation Act 13 of 2024, enabling the government…

After quietly updating consular websites, signaling a significant change to Visa Interview Waiver (“dropbox”) eligibility requirements, on Feb. 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) officially announced the reversion to pre-COVID eligibility standards, reducing the window for dropbox eligibility from 48 months to 12 months. This update follows reports of Visa Application Centers turning away…

The U.S. Department of State has unexpectedly updated Consular websites with revised eligibility requirements for Visa Interview Waiver (“dropbox”) appointments.

Effective immediately, dropbox eligibility is limited to applicants renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant classification that expired within the past 12 months. While no official government announcement has been made, Visa Application Centers (VACs)…

Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued a number of immigration-related Executive Orders (EOs) sure to have impact on employers and their business operations. So far, the focus in the media has been on border security, asylum, refugees, removal of undocumented aliens (deportation) and birthright citizenship. However, there are other aspects covered…