- 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
US Immigration
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…
Employers Can Expect Higher H‑1B/H‑4 Visa Denials + Delays as State Department Expands Review of Applicants’ Social‑Media Presence
Takeaways
- Starting 12.15.25, all H‑1B visa applicants and their H‑4 dependents must make their social‑media profiles public.
- Consular officers will scrutinize social-media activity, resumes and online work history.
- Employers sponsoring H-1B workers should anticipate possible delays, administrative processing or denials, especially for roles in tech, social media or other sensitive content-related fields.
Expansion of Online…
DOL’s Recently Launched “Project Firewall” Increases Employer Risks + Penalties for H-1B Practices
Takeaways
- The launch of Project Firewall signals the current administration’s tougher, more restrictive stance on high-skilled immigration.
- Key aspects of the enforcement initiative include increased investigations, interagency coordination, greater employer accountability and intent to protect American workers.
- Employers should review their H-1B policies and practices now.
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently launched…
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…
Court Grants Emergency Stay on FMCSA Interim Final Rule Restricting Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses
After temporarily pausing a recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) interim final rule, the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. has taken the additional action of granting an emergency stay order over the rule.
The rule is aimed at limiting issuance and renewal of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for numerous groups of non-citizens legally…
Court Temporarily Pauses FMCSA Interim Final Rule Restricting Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses
The federal appeals court in the District of Columbia has placed a temporary administrative stay on implementation of a recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) interim final rule that would limit issuance and renewal of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for non-domiciled applicants individuals. Lujan, et al. v. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, et al.…
FMCSA Restricting Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses, Announces Interim Final Rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced that it has strengthened requirements for issuance and renewal of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for non-domiciled applicants individuals.
The FMCSA’s interim final rule limits issuance of non-domiciled CDLs to individuals with specific lawful employment-based nonimmigrant status categories (H-2A, H-2B, or E-2).
The rule also requires…