Keeping you informed on the latest immigration news.
DHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Syria; Beneficiaries Have 60 Days to Leave the United States; E-Verify Issues Guidance for Employers
On September 19, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrians is terminated and affected Syrian nationals have 60 days to voluntarily depart the United States and return home. "After the 60 days have...
DHS Issues Proposed Rule on Weighted Selection for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
On September 24, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule to implement a "weighted selection" process for cap-subject H-1B petitions that "would generally favor the allocation of H-1B visas to higher skilled and higher paid aliens,...
DOL Launches ‘Project Firewall’ H-1B Enforcement Initiative
On September 19, 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) launched "Project Firewall," to ensure that "employers prioritize qualified Americans when hiring workers and [hold] employers accountable if they abuse the H-1B visa process." DOL said that it will conduct...
Agencies Issue Guidance on President Trump’s Proclamation Requiring a $100,000 Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions
Following on the heels of President Trump's issuance of a proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions where the worker is outside the United States, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a related frequently asked questions...
Employer Tips: What If There’s a Federal Government Shutdown?
The 2024-2025 federal fiscal year was marked by multiple threats of government shutdowns, each one narrowly avoided with continuing resolutions to keep the government funded. As the current fiscal year draws to a close, there is speculation that Republicans and...
October 2025 Visa Bulletin Released with Notable Progress
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released, marking the start of a new fiscal year and a reset of annual visa limits. USCIS has announced that applicants should use Chart B (Dates for Filing) this month for both employment-based and family-sponsored categories....
USCIS NTAs During the H-1B 60-Day Grace Period
AILA reports an increase in Notices to Appear (NTAs) issued when an employer withdraws an H-1B petition, even when a change-of-employer (COE) or change-of-status (COS) petition has been timely filed within the grace period. The 60-day grace period was intended as a...
AVITS Now Features Real-Time DS-160 Validation
AILA recently issued a practice alert highlighting a new feature in the Department of State’s AVITS visa scheduling system: real-time DS-160 validation. Rolled out in collaboration with DOS, the tool instantly cross-checks applicants’ DS-160 number, passport, and date...
A Field of Dreams for California Immigrants
In this New York Times article, read about the rolling acres of Sonoma County, where pinot noir and chardonnay vines stretch toward the horizon, there lies a baseball diamond—carved not by the major leagues, but by the calloused hands of vineyard workers. For more...
Korean Worker Detentions Revive Questions Over B-1 Visa Use
The detention and swift removal of hundreds of South Korean workers at a Georgia electric vehicle battery plant this month has reignited debate over the use of short-term business visas for activities that edge into unauthorized employment. The workers, many of whom...
