On August 29, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has implemented a new way to pay fees using electronic debits from U.S. bank accounts and will stop accepting paper checks and money orders after October 28, 2025. Effective...
Topic: Immigration Updates
DOS to Require Immigrant Visa Applicants to Interview in Designated Home Country Consular Districts
Effective November 1, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) will require immigrant visa applicants to interview in the consular district designated for their place of residence, or in their country of nationality if requested, with limited exceptions. The National Visa...
DHS Proposes Rule to End Duration-of-Status Admissions Policy for Students, Exchange Visitors, and Foreign Media Representatives
On August 27, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced a proposed rule to end the "duration of status" (D/S) admissions policy for F-1 (student), J-1 (exchange visitor), and I-1 (foreign media) nonimmigrants. The proposed rule would transition current F-1s...
Steve Yale-Loehr quoted in Newsday on expedited deportations
In Fast-Tracking Deportations of Detained Immigrants Explained, Steve shared, "Right now, ICE claims that anyone in expedited removal must be detained." However, he noted that a judge can issue a final order of deportation, and then ICE can pick up the person pending...
Steve Yale-Loehr quoted in CBS News on Trump directive probing ‘anti-American’ views
In the article, U.S. to Probe 'Anti-American' Views of Those Applying for Immigration Benefits Under Trump Directive, Steve expressed concerns about how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would implement its latest guidance, calling the language in it...
Steve Yale-Loehr quoted in Gothamist on ICE workplace raids
In Feds Raided an Edison, NJ Workplace. Advocates Warn It Could Signal an ICE Escalation, Steve said it remains to be seen whether recent workplace raids were directed from top officials in Washington, DC, or " just individual [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement...
Steve Yale-Loehr quoted in The Intercept on Trump’s war on international students
In Accepted at Universities, Unable to Get Visas: Inside Trump's War on International Students, Steve noted, "This administration has declared war on international students in a variety of ways, ranging from arresting people who've spoken out on behalf of Palestinians...
Egypt is Close to Seven Percent Cap for DV-2025 Program
The Department of State (DOS) announced on August 19, 2025, that Egypt is close to reaching the per-country limit of seven percent of the 52,056 visa numbers available in the Diversity Visa (DV) program for fiscal year 2025. "As we are approaching this cap, it may...
Appeals Court Allows End to Temporary Protections for 61,000 Central Americans and Nepalese
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted an emergency stay pending appeal that allows the Trump administration to move forward with plans to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an estimated 61,000 people from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. The TPS...
Trump Administration Pauses Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers
According to reports, the Trump administration is pausing issuance of work visas to foreign commercial truck drivers. "The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the...
