Posts

Jul 22, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Judge Halts USCIS Work-Permit Rollback for Asylum Seekers and TPS Holders

A Boston federal judge temporarily blocked USCIS from retroactively shortening work permits and from using unpaid annual asylum fees to terminate work authorization, with a longer-term ruling expected by August 5, 2026.

USCIS EAD TPS Policy Updates

Jul 19, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

CBP's Updated Border Rules Let Officers Search Your Phone Without Suspicion

CBP Directive 3340-049B, effective January 1, 2026, lets officers conduct a basic search of a traveler's phone or laptop without individualized suspicion. Here is what visa and green-card holders should know.

USCIS Visa News H-1B F-1

Jul 19, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

New $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' Now Reaching H-1B, F-1 and J-1 Applicants at U.S. Consulates

A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now being collected at U.S. consulates, adding cost for H-1B, F-1, J-1 and other nonimmigrant visa applicants.

H-1B F-1 J-1 Visa News

Jul 19, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Quietly Lifts Processing Holds on Physician H-1B and J-1 Waiver Cases

USCIS has lifted processing holds on physician cases, allowing stalled H-1B petitions and J-1 waiver adjustment-of-status applications for medical doctors to resume normal processing.

USCIS H-1B NIW Processing Times

Jul 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Housing Aid Will Count Against Green Card Applicants Starting September 18

A DHS final rule effective September 18, 2026 lets USCIS weigh food stamps, Medicaid, and housing aid in green card decisions under a broader public charge test — with key exemptions.

Green Card USCIS Policy Updates EB-2

Jul 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Trump Administration Weighs a Refundable $100,000 Green Card Bond for Some Immigrant Visa Applicants

The State Department is reviewing a proposal to require a refundable bond of up to $100,000 from certain immigrant visa applicants abroad, refundable only after naturalization.

Green Card USCIS Policy Updates Immigration News

Jul 18, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Reaches FY2027 H-1B Cap — No Second Lottery, and the New Wage-Weighted System Reshapes Selection

USCIS has filled all 85,000 FY2027 H-1B slots with no second lottery, as the first wage-weighted selection cycle drives a 38.5% drop in registrations and boosts advanced-degree selections.

H-1B USCIS Visa News NIW

Jul 17, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

DHS Ends "Duration of Status": F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders Face Fixed 4-Year Admission Under New Final Rule

DHS's new final rule ends open-ended "duration of status" for F, J, and I visa holders, imposing fixed admission periods capped at four years, cutting the F-1 grace period from 60 to 30 days, and restricting mid-program school transfers and objective changes.

F-1 Visa OPT H-1B Duration of Status +2 more

Jul 17, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

DHS Rule Ending 'Duration of Status' for Students Now Official — Published in the Federal Register, Effective September 15

DHS published its final rule ending 'duration of status' for F-1, J-1, and I nonimmigrants in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026. Effective September 15, students face fixed admission periods capped at four years, a shorter 30-day grace period, and mandatory extension-of-stay filings.

F-1 J-1 DHS Student Visas

Jul 17, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

State Department to Consolidate U.S. Visa Processing Across Africa Into 20 Regional Hubs, Effective August 1

Effective August 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State will consolidate routine visa processing across Africa into 20 regional hubs, realigning services away from roughly two dozen embassies and consulates. Valid visas are unaffected, but applicants in many countries will need to travel to their assigned hub.

Visa Processing State Department Africa Consular Processing