- 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
Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas
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…
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…
DHS Announces End of EAD Auto-Extensions for Foreign Nationals’ Pending Renewals
By Amy L. Peck, Otieno B. Ombok & Michael Bergman on
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Oct. 29, 2025, it is ending the practice of USCIS automatically extending validity of employment authorization documents (EADs) of foreign nationals who have timely filed filing renewal applications in certain employment authorization categories. Such foreign nationals will need a formal approval of their renewal application and receipt…
First Legal Challenge to Presidential Proclamation Imposing $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
On Sept. 19, 2025, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” (the “Proclamation”). The Proclamation requires employers to pay a $100,000 fee with any new H-1B petition for foreign workers outside the United States, effective Sept. 21, 2025. The stated purpose is to address perceived misuse of the…