- USCIS has confirmed its Dec. 2 policy memo, which listed only a narrow set of applications, was not exhaustive and that it has
Permanent Residence
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…
Immigration Considerations in a Government Shutdown
By Amy L. Peck & Otieno B. Ombok on
Posted in Compliance and Enforcement, Congress, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Labor, Department of State, E-3, Fees and Penalties, H-1B, H-2B, I-9 and E-Verify, J-1 Exchange Visitors, J-1 Trainees, Other Non-immigrant Visas, PERM, Permanent Residence, Social Security Administration, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, Trump Administration, US Immigration, USCIS
The current government funding expired at the end of the fiscal year without a continuing resolution, resulting in a government shutdown. A federal government shutdown can create ripple effects across immigration processes, but the impact varies depending on the agency.
Since USCIS is fee-funded, most operations — like processing petitions and applications — continue as…
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)…
U.S. Still Leads in Attracting International Talent — But For How Long?
- The United States continues to attract the largest share of international graduate students, particularly in STEM fields, but its dominance may be slipping.
- Other countries are expanding their post-study work options and streamlining their immigration pathways to compete for the world’s best and brightest.
- U.S. employers seeking to secure international talent should act early
USCIS Issues Regulation Requiring Alien Registration
On March 12, 2025, USCIS issued an Interim Final Regulation (IFR) designating a new registration form to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. The IFR goes into effect on April 11, 2025.
Under current law, with limited exceptions, non-U.S. citizens over the age of 14 who remain in the United States for at…