On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation restricting the entry of anyone seeking to enter the U.S. in H-1B status without payment of a new $100,000 fee.
Continue reading “H-1B Update: Executive Order Targets New H-1B Visa Holders With $100,000 Fee”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it has received enough petitions to meet the annual numerical allocation of 85,000 H-1B visas for fiscal year 2026. Also, a new proposed rule titled “Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions” is currently pending with the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. While the exact content is unclear, it is expected to have a significant impact on how H-1B cap-subject numbers are allocated.
Continue reading “H-1B Cap Reached for Fiscal Year 2026 and Potential Process Changes Ahead”
The new screening measures direct U.S. consular officers to thoroughly review visa applicants’ social media accounts and overall online presence. The directive encourages applicants to set their social media profiles to “public,” as private accounts may be perceived as an attempt to conceal information. Due to the increased screening workload, the number of available visa appointment slots is expected to decline, resulting in longer appointment wait times and visa processing times.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
Executive Order “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” directs federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, to re-establish enhanced vetting and screening processes for foreign nationals seeking a visa or immigration benefit of any kind. Agencies are to vet and screen visa applicants to the maximum degree possible, particularly foreign nationals applying and arriving from nations with identified security risks. It is expected that additional vetting and screening requirements will only add to increased wait times for visa clearances at U.S. embassies and consulates. The order further directs the administration to begin the process of restoring a potential travel ban within 60 days.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
Since our previous article on March 28, 2022, approximately 5.1 million Ukrainians have left the country and another 6.5 million have been displaced from their homes, but are still in Ukraine. The United States has taken some additional steps to assist in this crisis.
For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
In addition to the 3.2 million Ukrainians who have fled Ukraine, the United Nations reports that there are more than 6.5 million Ukrainians internally displaced within the country. The United States’ policies and practices with respect to inbound immigration options continue to evolve as the situation in Ukraine changes. Current inbound-U.S. immigration options include:
Continue reading “Immigration Update: U.S. Immigration Options for Ukrainian Nationals”