On Jan. 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum that has had wide-ranging effects on immigration benefit processing.
H-1B Program Update: DC Court Upholds Presidential Proclamation as DHS Finalizes Wage-Weighted Lottery for FY 2027
Recent developments reflect a coordinated policy shift toward increased executive control over H-1B entry and a structural prioritization of higher-wage positions in the annual H-1B cap process. Both developments remain subject to ongoing and potential litigation. In addition to those updates, the immediate impact of a September 2025 presidential proclamation requiring employers to pay a
USCIS Halts Processing for Pending Asylum Applications and Immigration Benefit Request from 19 ‘High-Risk’ Countries
On Dec. 2, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum PM-602-0192 directing officers to place an adjudicative hold on all pending asylum applications (Form I-589), regardless of nationality, and most pending immigration benefit requests – such as green cards, adjustment of status, travel documents, naturalization, etc. – filed by nationals of 19 countries designated as “high risk,” regardless of the entry date.
Continue Reading USCIS Halts Processing for Pending Asylum Applications and Immigration Benefit Request from 19 ‘High-Risk’ Countries
The New $100,000 H-1B Filing Fee: Employer Considerations
On Sept. 19, 2025, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation introducing a mandatory $100,000.00 one-time fee for all “new” H-1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025. This represents a significant increase to H-1B filing costs and may substantially affect employers’ immigration strategies and budgets. The fee is effective for 12 months, until Sept.
Biden Administration Restricts Travel From 8 African Countries Due to Omicron Variant
In response to the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus and in an effort to stop the spread, President Biden issued a new Proclamation Nov. 26, 2021, restricting travel to the United States from certain countries in the Africa region exposed to the Omicron variant.
As reported on this blog on Sept. 21 and
Biden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions to Allow Vaccinated Travelers into United States
To advance the safe resumption of global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Oct. 25 President Biden issued a Proclamation emphasizing the continued enhanced measures against the spread of the virus. The Proclamation quotes data indicating that the most effective way to control the spread amongst international travelers is to get vaccinated, in addition to
Biden Administration Revokes Trump’s Proclamation 9945 Requiring Health Insurance for Immigrant Visa Applicants
The Biden administration has revoked Presidential Proclamation 9945 of October 4, 2019 – Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System, in Order To Protect the Availability of Healthcare Benefits for Americans (PP 9945).
PP 9945 was issued by the Trump administration and intended to suspend the entry of
President Trump Lifts Travel Ban from Schengen Countries, UK, Ireland, and Brazil
On Jan. 18, 2021, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation terminating his previous Presidential Proclamations restricting travel from certain Schengen areas (Proclamation 9993), UK/Ireland (Proclamation 9996), and Brazil (Proclamation 10041). President Trump cites recent developments in the battle against COVID-19, including the CDC requiring negative COVID-19 tests for all air passengers entering
President Extends Proclamations Restricting Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Issuance
Late on Dec. 31, the Trump administration issued a proclamation that has the effect of extending the duration of two proclamations from 2020 that restricted immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020, restricted issuance of immigrant visa for 60 days; Proclamation 10052 of June 22,
Department of State Expands Guidance on the National Interest Exception to Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052
On Aug. 12, 2020, the Department of State updated its guidance on the National Interest Exception (NIE) to the June 22 Presidential Proclamation 10052, which extends Presidential Proclamation 10014 through Dec. 31, 2020. Under this updated guidance, individuals subject to the Presidential Proclamations may seek to obtain an H or L visa if they are