Immigration Regulations

70 employers. That is how many companies out of more than 30,000 H-1B sponsoring businesses across the United States have paid the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B fee since it took effect in late September 2025. Three separate federal lawsuits are now challenging whether this fee was ever legal to begin with. Following a Supreme Court decision that reined in executive power to impose financial charges without Congressional authorization, those challenges are gaining trac

In September of last year, the Trump administration enacted a new policy requiring employers hiring H-1B workers from outside the United States to pay a $100,000 fee. The goal of this action was to generate additional revenue for the federal government. Since its effective date, the policy has been scrutinized and brought to court as restrictive to H-1B applicants and having no impact in generating revenue.  So how many employers are paying this fee and what does it tell us a

As we move through 2026, several ongoing lawsuits could shape how the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is administered, interpreted, and experienced by investors. While none of these cases eliminate the program, they may influence risk allocation, visa sequencing, investor protections, and overall predictability. For investors and project stakeholders alike, understanding these legal developments is part of responsible long-term planning. Below is a summary of the key cases to

As 2025 comes to a close, U.S. immigration policy has undergone some of its most consequential shifts in years. For foreign professionals, employers, and investors alike, the year marked a clear pivot away from randomness and flexibility and toward higher scrutiny, higher costs, and more strategic decision-making. Two visa categories stood at the center of these changes: H-1B and EB-5 . Together, they reveal where U.S. immigration policy is heading—and why many individuals ar

The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a major overhaul of the H-1B visa selection process, replacing the long-standing random lottery with a weighted system that prioritizes higher-paid, more senior roles . The rule, finalized on December 23, 2025, will t ake effect on February 27, 2026 , ahead of the FY 2027 H-1B cap season. This shift marks one of the most consequential changes to the H-1B program in years—and it is already reshaping how international profession

For years, H-1B visa holders have relied on consular visa stamping as a routine, albeit sometimes inconvenient, step in maintaining their U.S. work authorization. However, that assumption is now being challenged. In recent weeks, U.S. consulates have abruptly canceled or rescheduled large volumes of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments , pushing interviews months into the future, with many now scheduled for March, June, or even later in 2026. These disruptions coincide with the rol

USCIS has announced major updates to Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity periods—changes that will directly affect EB-5 investors who file Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications inside the United States. While these updates apply broadly across several immigration categories, EB-5 applicants—especially those pursuing concurrent filing—should pay close attention to how these new policies may impact their work authorization, renewal timelines, and long-term planni

What’s Changing for H-1B Applicants The U.S. Department of State has announced expanded vetting of H-1B (and dependent H-4) visa applicants — effective December 15, 2025 . Under the new rules, all H-1B/H-4 applicants must make their social-media profiles public for review. Consular officers will closely scrutinize employment history and social media activity — especially for applicants who’ve worked in content moderation, misinformation/disinformation, fact-checking, “online

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing a new immigration rule that could severely limit—or even end—the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This program is a cornerstone of post-graduation work authorization for international students. According to multiple reports from Forbes and The Economic Times, the Trump administration is considering measures that would restrict employment opportunities for F-1 visa holders after completing their studies. The

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a significant policy change that will affect thousands of noncitizen workers and employers across the United States. Effective October 30, 2025 , DHS has ended the automatic employment authorization extension for most foreign nationals who file for renewal of their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).   This decision, part of a broader shift toward heightened screening and vetting, will have far-reaching implica