On Sept. 18, 2026, USCIS will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, the form used to apply for a green card through adjustment of status. The revised form aligns with the recently announced Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Final Rule and will immediately replace the current
Green Cards
ICE Using Travel Data to Target Visa Overstays at Domestic Airports: Employer Considerations
Federal immigration authorities reportedly are using domestic air travel information to locate and arrest noncitizens suspected of overstaying their authorized periods of admission.
Authorities have made at least 27 arrests of noncitizens suspected of overstay at airports in at least nine states across the country, from California to Virginia, according to an ABC News report.
California AB 692 and Its Impact on Employer Green Card Reimbursement Agreements
California’s AB 692, officially in effect as of Jan. 1, 2026, is bringing notable changes to how employers may use repayment or “stay‑or‑pay” provisions in employment agreements. While the law applies broadly to various repayment obligations, AB 692 has meaningful implications for organizations that have historically used reimbursement agreements when sponsoring foreign national employees for…
USCIS Widens Freeze on Immigration Benefits for Nationals of 19 Countries: Employers Should Expect Delays Across Multiple Categories
By Amy L. Peck & Otieno B. Ombok on
- USCIS has confirmed its Dec. 2 policy memo, which listed only a narrow set of applications, was not exhaustive and that it has
USCIS Announces Reduction of EAD Validity Period for Foreign Nationals in Certain Categories
By Eric S. Hause on
- Admitted as refugees;
USCIS Announces Review of Green Cards Issued to Individuals from 19 Countries, Halt of Afghan-Related Immigration Requests
Takeaways
- The Trump Administration will review all green cards issued to individuals from 19 “countries of concern.”
- The DHS has indefinitely stopped processing Afghan-related immigration requests.
- President Trump stated his goal is to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries.”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joe Edlow recently announced a realignment of…
USCIS Updates Policy on Assessing Good Moral Character in Adjudication of Naturalization Applications
By Forrest G. Read IV on
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) August 2025 policy memorandum on naturalization applications demonstrates the agency’s heightened scrutiny in conferring citizenship and raises questions on how newly empowered officers will conduct their review.
Citizenship is the final step in what can be a long and complicated journey for foreign nationals seeking immigration benefits. After…
USCIS Updates Policy Manual, Expands Enforcement Rule: What the Stricter Stance Means for H-1B, Family-Based, Other Beneficiaries
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) February 2025 policy memorandum and July 2025 policy manual update highlight the agency’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
Generally, USCIS will no longer exempt classes or categories of foreign nationals from potential enforcement except in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. One update describes the circumstances under which USCIS issues…
What Are the Immigration Impacts in Budget Reconciliation Bill H.R. 1?
By Lauren F. Bowen on
Posted in Asylum / Refugee, B Visa, Business Visitors, Congress, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), EADs, Fees and Penalties, Green Cards, H-1B, Humanitarian Programs, Legislation, Other Non-immigrant Visas, Permanent Residence, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, TPS, Travel (General), Trump Administration, US Immigration, USCIS
The House of Representatives passed budget reconciliation bill H.R. 1, entitled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” that includes significant changes to the immigration fee structure. As the Senate prepares its version of the reconciliation bill, many of the immigration-related provisions are unchanged from the one passed by the House.
H.R. 1 aims to initiate…
SSA Pauses Automatic Issuance of SSNs for Certain Immigration Applicants
Takeaways
- As of March 19, 2025, the SSA has paused automatic SSN issuance for many immigrant applicants, including those receiving new work permits and newly naturalized citizens.
- Affected individuals must now apply in person at SSA offices.
- Employers should adjust onboarding processes accordingly and educate HR teams to avoid disruptions.
The Social Security Administration (SSA)…