USCIS May Deny Cases Without an RFE: What Employers and Applicants Should Know
For many years, it has largely been taken for granted that a Request for Evidence, or RFE, can be counted on as a kind of safety net—an opportunity to address a missing document, clarify an ambiguity, or strengthen an evidentiary weakness before USCIS makes a final decision. That opportunity can no longer be assumed. On […]
What Does the New F-1 Rule Mean for OPT, STEM OPT, and Long-Term Immigration Planning?
For many international students, graduation is not the end of their immigration journey. Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT often serve as bridges between an academic program and longer-term employment in H-1B, O-1, or another immigration classification. A new Department of Homeland Security final rule will place potential stumbling blocks along that bridge. Beginning […]
Not Selected in the FY 2027 H-1B Cap? What Options Remain?
On July 17, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it had received enough petitions to reach both the regular fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap of 65,000 visas and the additional 20,000 visas available under the U.S. advanced-degree exemption. For employers and foreign professionals whose registrations were not selected, the announcement closes the door […]
Immigration Headlines Are Not Always the Final Word: Why Employers and Applicants Should Not Panic Too Quickly
Major immigration announcements inevitably produce anxiety. A new executive order, agency memorandum, fee requirement, court ruling, or Visa Bulletin development can quickly lead employers, foreign professionals, investors, students, and families to wonder whether their immigration plans have suddenly become out of reach. Sometimes the concern is justified. Immigration policy can change quickly, and delay can […]
Federal Judge Strikes Down the $100,000 H-1B Fee: What Happens Next?
For months, the $100,000 H-1B fee dominated headlines and generated widespread concern among employers, foreign professionals, universities, hospitals, and technology companies. Now, a federal judge has struck the fee down. On June 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the Trump Administration’s $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions was unlawful and must […]
How Should Applicants Prepare Adjustment of Status Cases After the New USCIS Policy Memo?
How Should Applicants Prepare Adjustment of Status Cases After the New USCIS Policy Memo? In the wake of USCIS’s May 2026 policy memorandum emphasizing that Adjustment of Status (“AOS”) is an “extraordinary” discretionary benefit rather than an automatic entitlement, many immigrants, families, professionals, and employers are now asking the same practical question: What does this […]
Has USCIS Effectively Restricted Adjustment of Status? Separating Panic from Reality After the New May 2026 Policy Memo
On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a new policy memorandum that immediately sent shockwaves through the immigration community. Within hours, immigration attorneys, employers, students, temporary workers, and families across the country were asking the same question: Has USCIS effectively ended Adjustment of Status? The short answer is no — but the new policy memorandum is […]
Can USCIS Deny an Immigration Case Over a Signature Mistake?
Yes — under a new interim rule issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), signature mistakes on immigration filings may now lead not only to rejection, but in some cases outright denial of a petition or application. The rule takes effect July 10, 2026, and reflects […]
Proposed Prevailing Wage Rule Could Reshape H-1B and PERM Sponsorship
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has now formally published one of the most consequential business immigration proposals in years: a sweeping proposed rule that would significantly increase prevailing wage requirements for H-1B, PERM, H-1B1, and E-3 cases. Although this is only a proposed rule—and not yet in effect—the proposal signals where federal policy appears […]
New Leadership at DHS and DOL: What It May Mean for Employers and Immigration Strategy
Leadership transitions in Washington do not always result in immediate policy changes—but they often signal shifts in emphasis, tone, and enforcement priorities that can shape how existing rules are applied. Recent developments at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) are a case in point. DHS now has […]