Posts

Aug 11, 2026 • Green Card • 3 min read

A Second Federal Court Blocks the 75-Country Visa Freeze — And This Time It Revives Expired Medical Exams

In Sayani v. Rubio, a Northern District of California judge enjoined the State Department's 75-country immigrant visa pause as to the plaintiffs on August 7, 2026, and extended relief to medical exams and documents that expired during the freeze.

Green Card Visa News Court Ruling

Aug 11, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

DHS Clears the Way for Mandatory Online Filing at USCIS — Rule Effective August 11

An interim final rule published August 11 lets USCIS require electronic filing for forms that have been e-fileable for 180 days, with 60 days' notice and a hardship waiver. Comments close October 13, 2026.

USCIS Policy Updates N-400 H-1B

Aug 11, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

The $4,000 H-1B Surcharge Now Hits Extensions Too — New DHS Rule Starts September 9

DHS will apply the $4,000 H-1B and $4,500 L-1 9-11 Response Fee to extension petitions starting September 9, 2026, turning a one-time hiring cost into a recurring one for visa-dependent employers.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates

Aug 11, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

Trump Signs Two New Orders on Birthright Citizenship and 'Birth Tourism' After Losing at the Supreme Court

Two executive orders signed August 6, 2026 narrow birthright citizenship for specific categories of children and direct State and DHS to deny visas to suspected birth tourists — a more targeted approach after the Supreme Court's June ruling.

USCIS Policy Updates Visa News

Aug 10, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

DHS Ends 'Duration of Status' for F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders, Imposing a Four-Year Cap

DHS's final rule replaces open-ended 'duration of status' for F-1/J-1 holders with a four-year admission cap and a shorter grace period, effective September 15, 2026.

F-1 J-1 USCIS Policy Updates

Aug 10, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

DHS Moves to Eliminate the 60-Day Grace Period for H-1B and Other Workers After Job Loss

DHS has sent a proposed rule to the White House that would end the 60-day grace period for H-1B and other nonimmigrant workers after job loss. It is not yet in effect.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates

Aug 10, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

State Department Launches Public Charge Bond Pilot for Certain Immigrant Visa Applicants

The State Department's new pilot lets consular officers require select immigrant visa applicants to post USCIS-administered public charge bonds of up to $250,000.

Green Card USCIS Visa News

Aug 08, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Court Lets TPS Work Permits Lapse for El Salvador, Ukraine and Sudan Beneficiaries

A Massachusetts federal court declined on August 5 to block the government from curtailing TPS employment authorization, allowing work permits for three countries' beneficiaries to expire even though their TPS designations run into September and October.

TPS Work Permits EAD Court Ruling

Aug 08, 2026 • Green Card • 3 min read

Federal Judge Rules the 75-Country Immigrant Visa Freeze Unlawful

In De Moura Gomes v. Rubio, Judge Amit Mehta held that the State Department's blanket public-charge refusal policy covering nationals of 75 countries exceeds the Secretary of State's authority — but the relief so far reaches only one plaintiff.

Green Card Public Charge EB-5 Court Ruling

Aug 08, 2026 • Visa News • 3 min read

State Department Launches Public Charge Bond Pilot for Immigrant Visa Applicants

Beginning August 5, 2026, some immigrant visa applicants refused on public charge grounds can post a consular-set bond to obtain a visa — a separate program from the B-1/B-2 visitor bond finalized days earlier.

Green Card Public Charge Visa Bonds Consular Processing