01 Oct 2026

H1B $100K Fee: Courts Align

A Massachusetts court vacated the fee policies in June 2026. Echoing that ruling, a California court bars enforcement under the 2025 proclamation and its 2026 extension. Neither proclamation was struck down; appeal or rulemaking remains possible....

30 Sep 2026

USCIS Status Alerts: Read the Notice

Old EAD or I-485J marked “administratively closed”? It appears USCIS may be closing out older filings in its system which is prompting an unusually high number of administrative closure notices. Read the mailed notice and check the status of any pending application. ...

29 Sep 2026

I am applying for TN status to work for a U.S. employer. Am I allowed to pay the government filing fees and attorney fees myself?

Answer Generally, yes. Unlike the H1B category, the TN classification does not have special immigration provisions that ordinarily require the employer to pay specified filing and attorney fees. Any repayment arrangement or payroll deduction still must comply with applicable employment and wage laws. (29.Sep.2026) Sheela Murthy and...

29 Sep 2026

October 2026 Adjustment of Status: Dates for Filing for Family and Employment Categories

UPDATE TO: October 2026 Visa Bulletin USCIS has confirmed that applicants may use the Dates for Filing charts for both family-sponsored and employment-based adjustment-of-status filings in October 2026. Check your category, country of chargeability, and priority date before filing Form I-485. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin...

23 Sep 2026

Eleventh Circuit Holds That an EOIR Disciplinary Complaint Can Satisfy Lozada

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently issued an important decision addressing ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims in immigration proceedings. In Pasqual-Andres v. U.S. Attorney General decided on August 4, 2026, the court held that a complaint filed with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)...

22 Sep 2026

I recently attended my H1B visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad. The consular officer mentioned that my social media might need to be reviewed, but did not clearly explain whether anything else was needed. My CEAC status now says “Refused,” even though I have received H1B visas before. Does this mean my visa will not be issued?

Answer Not necessarily. When checking a case on CEAC, the status may show only “Issued” or “Refused,” without distinguishing between a refusal that requires additional processing and a refusal that is based on another ground of ineligibility. Thus, a “Refused” status may reflect a refusal under...

16 Sep 2026

CSPA Protection for Employment-Based Derivative Children with Pending Adjustment Applications

A derivative child in an employment-based immigration case does not necessarily lose eligibility for a green card upon reaching the biological age of 21. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides a special age calculation that may preserve the person’s classification as a “child,” provided...

15 Sep 2026

I have an arrest or criminal record and will need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. What should I consider before traveling?

Answer Any arrest, charge, or conviction can complicate a nonimmigrant visa application, although a criminal record does not automatically make every applicant inadmissible. The result depends on the offense, criminal statute, disposition, sentence, and other facts. If a criminal ground of inadmissibility applies, the applicant may...