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...
Immigration Blog
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...
Sep292025
The EB-5 process relies heavily on thorough documentation and strict compliance with USCIS regulations, especially regarding the source and path of investment funds. If you’re pursuing a partial investment, it’s critical to clearly outline and disclose the full source and path of the total intended investment amount (a minimum of $800,000 plus any applicable administrative...
Stock sales are a common source of funds for EB-5 investments. But not all stocks are the same. Understanding the differences between self-purchased and employer-issued stock (such as RSUs, stock options, or ESPP) is essential for building a strong and approvable EB-5 case. Self-Purchased Shares: Stocks purchased directly by the investor through a brokerage account...
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...