Jul172026
If you’re an international student, exchange visitor, or foreign media professional in the United States, a major change to how you’re admitted is coming this fall. On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that eliminates “Duration of Status” (D/S) for F (academic student), J (exchange visitor), and I...
Over the past couple of weeks, I have spoken with multiple students who have had their F-1 visas revoked and their SEVIS terminated. Most of these students had DWIs or other alcohol related arrests. Other attorneys reported speaking with students who had minor infractions such as parking or speeding tickets. In some cases, the charges...
Recent reports suggest a concerning trend: F-1 students are experiencing visa revocations and SEVIS terminations based on past criminal conduct, including arrests and convictions, leaving them out of status and at risk of removal proceedings. Who Is Being Targeted? While this appears to be a developing and unevenly applied policy, early indicators suggest that students...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now agreed to a settlement after the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Partners, filed a Federal Lawsuit claiming, that the prohibition on qualifying H-4 and L-2 applicants benefits from the 180-day extension, was unlawful. For details of our original article please click the following link: https://patel-law-group.local/aila-files-lawsuit-claiming-h-4-and-l-2-ead-should-qualify-for-180-day-automatic-extension/ The...
Oct142021
USCIS processing times continue to increase for the majority of applications and have only been made worst by the ongoing pandemic, resulting in the agency being heavily understaffed. This is especially true for H-4 and L-2 EAD applicants. Because of the long processing times and the fact that these categories of work authorization are not...
USCIS recently announced it will no longer require F-1 students to bridge the gap. Previously USCIS had required students who filed a change of status application to F-1, to also file a second application in order to extend their current status. Therefore, someone who entered in B-2 and wished to change to F-1 was required...
Jul162021
Students on F-1 status need to ensure they maintain status. A failure to maintain status could result in a violation which could have an impact on their immigration future. At PSBP we often see requests for evidence questioning maintenance of status for F-1 students, who have submitted an H-1B cap petition requesting a change of...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will now withdraw its duration of status rule. Students have for a long time had the benefit of being admitted for the duration of status. In other words, unlike other nonimmigrants, they are not admitted for a specific length of time. This flexibility has allowed them to extend their...