On Dec. 31, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decisions to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, finding that the terminations violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The court concluded that DHS failed to conduct an objective assessment of
Trump Administration
State Department to Suspend Consular Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Starting 1.21.26
The Department of State is expected to pause consular immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026, according to multiple public reports. This development represents a significant expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts that include more intensive screening and review of overseas visa applicants.
The government reportedly is undertaking a wide‑ranging…
$100K H-1B Fee Case Fast-Tracked in Federal Appeals Court
The U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed on Jan. 5, 2025, to fast-track the appeal of the recent federal court ruling upholding the Trump Administration’s imposition of a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa petitions.
On Dec. 24, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the…
H‑1B, H‑4 Visa Appointments Rescheduling Begins Amid Expanded Social Media Vetting Policies
By Amy L. Peck & Giuseppina Mammoliti on
U.S. consulates abroad have recently begun postponing a wide range of H‑1B and H‑4 visa interviews, resulting in significant delays in visa processing. Consulates in India have been among the most affected, as India remains the largest source of H‑1B visa holders worldwide.
Beginning in the second week of December, applicants with interviews scheduled between…
Federal Court Upholds Trump Administration $100,000 Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions
A federal judge has granted the Trump Administration’s motion for summary judgment and upheld the legality of the $100,000 fee requirement for certain H-1B visa petitions. Chamber of Commerce of the USA v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:25-cv-03675 (D.D.C. Dec. 23, 2025).
President Donald Trump’s Sept. 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, “Restriction on Entry…
DHS Announces ‘Weighted Selection Process’ to Allocate H-1B Visas Effective Feb. 2026
- Registrants submitted under higher wage levels will have a better chance of being selected, with positions under the highest wage level having a four times higher
DHS Announces Phased End of TPS for Burma, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Beginning Early 2026
By Otieno B. Ombok & Giuseppina Mammoliti on
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, and South Sudan will end in early 2026.
Employers of TPS beneficiaries from affected countries should closely review the timelines and automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions, summarized below in order of termination date.
Employers…
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
New EEOC Guidance Aligns with DOL’s H-1B ‘Project Firewall,’ Stresses Foreign Worker Preferences Can Be a Form of ‘National Origin’ Discrimination
Related links
- EEOC Press Release: New and Updated Educational Materials on National Origin Discrimination (11.19.25)
- EEOC National Origin Discrimination Landing Page
- EEOC Technical Assistance Document: “Discrimination Against American Workers Is Against the Law”
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released updated educational materials on national origin discrimination on Nov. 19, 2025, in response to the…
USCIS Announces Reduction of EAD Validity Period for Foreign Nationals in Certain Categories
By Eric S. Hause on
- Admitted as refugees;