Immigration Blog

USCIS has issued a new policy memorandum—PM-602-0188, “Restoring a Rigorous, Holistic, and Comprehensive Good Moral Character Evaluation Standard for Aliens Applying for Naturalization.”  This memo signals a major shift in how the agency intends to evaluate whether applicants for naturalization meet the requirement of being a person of “good moral character” (GMC). In addition, the...

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We are pleased to share that our firm has secured its first approval of an H-1B self-petition. This milestone allows our client to transfer from his current employer to his own company, giving him the ability to take control of his career and officially launch his business. Effective January 17, 2025, a new rule permitted...

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This week the Trump administration announced a new rule, which if passed would eliminate “duration of status” for international students.  Unlike other non-immigrant classifications, international students are admitted for duration of status, meaning they can stay for as long as is required to complete their studies, OPT and STEM OPT.  It also allows them to...

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In a significant move aimed at enhancing clarity and uniformity in immigration procedures, the latest update to the Policy Manual addresses crucial changes concerning the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age calculation. This update primarily focuses on determining when a visa becomes available for CSPA purposes. This article will offer a comprehensive overview of the...

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One of the most important requirements in the EB-5 process is proving that your investment funds come from a lawful source. A common question among potential investors is whether earnings from employment abroad can be used toward an EB-5 investment. The short answer is yes. Foreign salary income is a permissible source of EB-5 funds,...

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Surprisingly, this Trump administration has not attacked the H-1B program, at least not with regard to filings through USCIS.  Under the previous Trump Administration, we saw a huge uptick in requests for further evidence (RFEs), and denials and approval rates took a nosedive. Since Trump took office earlier this year, approval rates remain high, although...

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In the current administration, reports have surfaced highlighting an increase in cases of administrative processing. Both visa applicants and legal experts are voicing growing concerns over the extended delays experienced in the visa adjudication process due to this administrative procedure. This article aims to elucidate the nature of administrative processing, explore the different categories it...

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On June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a decision in the ongoing legal battle surrounding birthright citizenship.  Unfortunately, the decision failed to address the substance of the executive order, and its decision was focused on whether lower federal courts have the authority to issue nationwide injunctions.  Background On the first day of his presidency,...

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