Beginning December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will significantly expand its social media screening practices to include all H-1B Nonimmigrant Worker visa applicants and their H-4 dependents applying for visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for professional jobs that require specialized … Continue Reading
We are several weeks into a federal government shutdown, which might be on pace to be the longest in U.S. history. Time will tell whether this shutdown is record-breaking. In the meantime, the impact on federal employees is plain; some are furloughed, while other essential workers are left to work without pay. But less obvious … Continue Reading
On October 20, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released further guidance clarifying the implementation of the new $100,000 H-1B fee established under the recent Presidential Proclamation. Below is a summary of the key provisions and practical implications based on the agency’s announcement.… Continue Reading
This past Friday, President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” This latest executive action introduces major restrictions on the H-1B visa program, specifically targeting employers filing petitions for workers who are currently outside the United States. The most impactful change? A $100,000 fee per H-1B … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump recently signed a proclamation reinstating and expanding the United States travel ban. The travel ban takes effect Monday, June 9, 2025, and as such, those affected by the ban should ensure they enter the U.S. before this date. This move, echoing the 2017 policy, aims to address national security concerns but has … Continue Reading
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced a sweeping new directive: the United States will begin “aggressively” revoking visas of Chinese students, alleged to be in any way affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or studying in designated “critical fields.” This policy has significant implications for U.S. employers who currently employ Chinese international … Continue Reading
In recent months, hospitals and healthcare systems across the country have seen an increase in random and unannounced worksite inspections by immigration officers, particularly targeting H-1B nonimmigrant worker visa holders. These inspections aim to verify employers’ compliance with H-1B program requirements, including proper recordkeeping, worksite accuracy, and adherence to position and salary terms. As these … Continue Reading
USCIS has announced that registration for this year’s H-1B visa lottery will take place between noon (ET) on March 7, 2025, and noon (ET) on March 24, 2025. With adjustments to fees, the selection process, and filing methods, employers must plan ahead.… Continue Reading
In today’s increasingly complex immigration enforcement setting, employers face multiple challenges, including unannounced USCIS Administrative site visits (also known as onsite inspections), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) workplace raids, and Form I-9 audits. While these processes all aim to ensure compliance with federal laws, they have distinct purposes and require different strategies to effectively … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump has indicated a strong intention to eliminate both the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs, which allow foreign nationals to temporarily live and work in the United States without the fear of deportation. In light of these anticipated measures, employers should take proactive steps to support … Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a final rule aimed at modernizing the H-1B nonimmigrant worker visa program, with significant and favorable changes set to take effect on January 17, 2025. These updates provide much-needed clarity and support for U.S. employers seeking talented and professional employees. Following is a breakdown of the … Continue Reading
In a significant update for employers and human resource teams, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made the 540-day auto-extension period for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewals a permanent benefit. In May 2022, DHS extended the EAD auto-extension to up to 540 days to mitigate the risk of a work authorization gap for those … Continue Reading
One of the simplest but most important steps that employers should take to minimize the workforce disruptions associated with the upcoming change in presidential administrations is to avoid international travel by certain foreign national workers starting now, and to bring at-risk employees who are currently outside the country back into the U.S. as soon as … Continue Reading
As President-elect Trump’s administration prepares for a second term, employers should anticipate intensified changes to U.S. immigration policies and procedures. These changes are expected to significantly impact various immigration categories, including nonimmigrant and immigrant employment-based processes, hiring practices, and compliance responsibilities. The administration is likely to push forward with stricter enforcement, increased procedural challenges, and … Continue Reading
America runs on semiconductors, also known informally as chips. Chips are integral to the cars we drive, the planes we fly, the systems that defend our country, and the computers that every single industry, from manufacturing to finance, relies upon. A recent top-down approach by the Federal Government — best exemplified by the CHIPS and … Continue Reading
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched its new organizational accounts platform which allows multiple individuals within an organization, as well as their legal representatives, to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations on behalf of qualified candidates for the upcoming H-1B lottery. It’s imperative that employers familiarize themselves with this platform to avoid … Continue Reading
Thanks to a final rule recently announced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), filing fees are about to increase on April 1, 2024, and filers who fail to make haste will end up paying more, or risk experiencing additional processing delays in certain visa categories. Specifically, on January 31, 2024, USCIS published a final … Continue Reading
USCIS is proposing to modernize the H-1B visa program by streamlining eligibility requirements, improving program efficiency, providing greater benefits and flexibilities for employers and workers, and strengthening integrity measures related to the lottery. Employers are invited to participate in the rulemaking by submitting written data, views, comments, and arguments on all aspects of USCIS’s proposed … Continue Reading
Every few years, employees working in the United States on nonimmigrant visas such as the H-1B and L-1 are forced to undertake the arduous journey to renew their visas at a consular post abroad. A valid visa is needed to both travel outside and then re-enter the United States. This journey is incredibly inconvenient for … Continue Reading
In July, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its long-awaited modernization of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification process. The new rule became effective August 1, 2023, and allows eligible employers to utilize an alternative process for I-9 verification. The alternative process allows continued remote inspection of Form I-9 documents by a live … Continue Reading
Florida employers should prepare now to comply with a new law taking effect in July, aimed at ensuring that employers do not allow undocumented immigrants to work in their businesses. Senate Bill 1718 (SB 1718), which became law on May 10, 2023, is an expansive immigration bill enacted in response to the expiration of federal … Continue Reading
Employers sponsoring foreign nationals should be aware that some cut-off dates for filing immigrant visa applications in certain employment-based (EB) preference categories have recently “retrogressed” or moved backwards in time due to increased demand. The Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin, which apprises foreign nationals of the time to file their immigrant visa … Continue Reading
Employers interested in hiring foreign nationals in specialty occupations should seriously consider registering for the H-1B lottery, which is quickly approaching. Last month, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it would open the initial registration period for this year’s H-1B lottery at noon EST on March 1 and close at noon EST on … Continue Reading
Your business is buying (or selling) a company – now what? Due diligence is an essential part of a successful merger or acquisition, and there are countless labor and employment issues that may come up during this process. Should due diligence reveal that the target company is not in compliance with a certain law, the … Continue Reading
