The headlines have been dominated by talk of a proposed $100,000 H-1B filing fee. While that number grabs attention, it’s a distraction from the changes that will truly reshape the H-1B landscape. Employers should be far more focused on three key developments: prevailing wage increases, a weighted lottery system, and Project Firewall. Prevailing Wage Increases...
Chris Prescott
For most foreign nationals, applying for Naturalization is the final step in the Immigration process. While holding a green card offers significant stability, it does not provide the full benefits of citizenship. Extended absences from the U.S. (over six months), criminal history, and other factors can jeopardize the ability to maintain permanent residency and renew...
The I-864 Affidavit of Support is a crucial part of many U.S. immigration cases, especially family-based petitions. Its primary purpose is to show that the intending immigrant will have adequate financial support and will not become a public charge. The form requires the Petitioner, usually a U.S. citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR), to prove...
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...
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...
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...
Aug112025
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...
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...