On August 10, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule amending its regulations on the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for certain H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrant visas. The final rule changes DHS’s interpretation of statutory...
Topic: Immigration Articles
USCIS Clarifies That Immigration Benefit Requests May Be Denied Without RFEs
On August 5, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that applications for immigration benefits can be denied without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny if “all required initial evidence” has not been...
DOS Issues Final Rule on Permanent Visa Bond Program for B-1/B-2 Visitors
The Department of State (DOS) has issued a final rule to make permanent the Visa Bond Pilot Program. Under the program, an applicant for a visa as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) may be required to submit a visa bond “to ensure that the alien...
DHS Announces Rule Change, Effective Immediately, to Allow USCIS to Refer Asylum Applications to Immigration Judges Without Interviewing the Applicant
On July 27, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an interim final rule, effective July 28, that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer asylum applications to Immigration Judges (IJs) without first interviewing the...
DOS Proposes Changes to Exchange Visitor Program Rules
On July 30, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) published a proposed rule that clarifies the conditions under which a sponsor must terminate a J-1 exchange visitor’s program and authorizes DOS, in its discretion, to terminate an exchange visitor’s program in limited...
DHS Detentions Increase at Airports
Practitioners are warning that a growing number of foreign nationals have been detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at U.S. airports while traveling between states, even if they had pending applications and were in a period of authorized stay,...
Trump Administration Considers $100,000 Fee for International Students to Work in United States
According to reports, the Trump administration is considering charging a $100,000 fee for international students who want to work in the United States after graduation, likely via the Optional Training Program (OPT). As of last fall, there were an estimated 300,000...
USCIS Updates TPS Guidance for Haiti
On July 24, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted an update regarding the status of employment authorization documents (EADs) for temporary protected status (TPS)-holders from Haiti. TPS and associated EADs remain valid and extended per a...
DOS Announces ‘B’ Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program, Starting With Mission Mexico
On July 22, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) announced that it is testing a voluntary, optional nonimmigrant visa expedited appointment program for B visas at select U.S. embassies and consulates through December 31, 2026, starting with Mission Mexico (embassy and...
DHS Is Assessing Daily Fines for Failure to Leave the United States After Removal Order
The Trump administration has begun issuing letters assessing fines of $998 per day for an individual’s failure to leave the United States after receiving an order of removal, regardless of whether the person is pursuing an alternate form of immigration relief or has a...
