November 22, 2024 The Future of H4 EAD: Potential Elimination Under Second Trump Term
November 19, 2024 Trump Confirms Use of U.S. Military for Mass Deportation Program
November 19, 2024 USCIS Issues Updated Guidelines on Child Custody for U.S. Citizenship Eligibility
November 18, 2024 President-elect Trump Appointments to Lead U.S. Immigration Policy
November 18, 2024 Biden’s Options To Strengthen U.S. Immigration Policy
January 2, 2024
Immigration: 2023 Year End Review and 2024 Outlook
We take a moment to look back at 2023 and head to 2024 for U.S. immigration. With 2024 being an election year, we anticipate immigration being a key topic.
December 29, 2023
Welcome Corps Phase Two Open: U.S. Sponsors Can Now Select Who to Sponsor
The Welcome Corps Phase Two program is now open for qualifying groups of five or more U.S. citizens or permanent residents to identify a person or family to sponsor.
December 27, 2023
Premium Processing Fees Updated to Reflect Inflation Adjustment
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a filing fee increase for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, effective February 26, 2024.
December 21, 2023
Significant Change To Students Pursuing Green Card
USCIS issued a policy alert signaling a major shift in its long-established policy regarding F and M nonimmigrant student visa categories and their inability to pursue permanent residency while present in the United States under these visas.
December 21, 2023
Immigration Case Backlog Exceeds 3 Million
Case backlog in U.S. immigration courts surpassed 3 million open cases in November 2023. This represents an increase of an estimated 1 million cases over the last year.
December 21, 2023
Domestic H-1B Visa Renewal Program Limited to Visas Issued In India and Canada
The procedures, process, and qualifications for H-1B visa holders to qualify for domestic renewal are now available. Only those individuals with H-1B visas issued within a specific date range at U.S. consulates in India and Canada are eligible.
December 20, 2023
Possible Expansion of STEM Roles for Employment Certification
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is considering an update to the employment certification process to make hiring foreign workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields easier for U.S. companies.
December 20, 2023
Texas Governor Enacts Laws Enabling Arrest and Deportation for Illegal Entry to the State
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three immigration-related bills, sparking legal controversy and criticism. The laws make it a state offense to enter the state without a legal basis. Individuals can be deported by state judges.
December 19, 2023
Federal Government Reiterates Defense of Chevron Doctrine
The U.S. federal government again urged the Supreme Court to maintain the Chevron doctrine, allowing judges to defer to executive branch agency interpretations in rulemaking when laws are ambiguous.
December 14, 2023
FY2024 H-1B Cap Reached – No Further Selections
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed the receipt of sufficient petitions to reach the congressionally mandated caps for regular and advanced degree caps. No further applications will be accepted to reach the caps.
December 14, 2023
January 2024 Visa Bulletin: Exciting EB-1 Advancement for India and Overall Promising Movement
The January 2024 Visa Bulletin shows advancement in the employment-based category, particularly for India. Overall, advancement in employment-based categories show promising movement.
December 12, 2023
Family-Based Conditional Permanent Residence Policy Updated by USCIS
Updates to guidance on eligibility, filing, and adjudication for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, were announced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
December 6, 2023
Domestic H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Excludes Dependents
The pilot program allowing up to 20,000 H-1B visa holders to renew their visas in the U.S. will not include their dependents. The H-4 dependents are still required to travel for their visa renewal.
December 6, 2023
Projected Labor Shortages and How Visa Policy Can Help
The gridlock in the U.S. Congress over immigration reform continues to limit U.S. companies from hiring the talent needed to support several key industries. The labor shortage is impacting the healthcare, semiconductor, and hospitality industries.
December 4, 2023
Client Success Story: USCIS Approves Delayed Green Card Application, Signals Retroactive Application of Updated CSPA Policy
ILBSG is happy to announce that we have received an I-485 approval based on the updated CSPA policy announced in February 2023. The I-485 application was filed nearly 5 years after the priority date became current
November 29, 2023
H-1B Worker Domestic Visa Renewal Pilot Program Among Efforts to Reduce Backlog
Up to 20,000 H-1B holders will have the ability to renew their visas in the United States in the coming months. The domestic visa renewal program is estimated to begin as soon as January 2024.
November 29, 2023
Supreme Court Urged to End Chevron Deference
The Chevron deference states administrative agencies are empowered to interpret the law if the enabling statute is ambiguous or silent on a specific issue. The courts are limited in their ability to meaningfully review administrative action as a result.
November 28, 2023
Foreign Funding Likely to Include Immigration Updates
Congress is working on brokering an agreement on legislation to provide funding to Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific before the Christmas break. As part of those negotiations, immigration policies are being discussed and will likely be part of the final proposal.
November 27, 2023
myProgress Personalized Processing Times Program Expanding
The expansion of the myProgress (previously known as personalized processing times) program will now be available for Afghan special immigrant I-485 applicants. Further expansion is planned.
November 27, 2023
Tampa Asylum Office Moving
Effective December 11, 2023, the Tampa Asylum office is moving, per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The current office closes to the public on November 29, 2023.