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04 Dec 2025

New USCIS Guidance on Country-Specific Facts and Discretionary Benefits Requests

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on how country-specific facts and circumstances may impact the adjudication of discretionary benefit requests. Presidential Proclamation 10949 The new guidance follows the framework of the 04.Jun.2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949, "Restricting...

14:58 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Worker
26 Nov 2025

USCIS Offers Online PDF Filing Option for Some Case Types

The USCIS recently expanded online filing options to allow certain immigration forms to be submitted as completed PDFs, rather than requiring applicants to manually enter information into an online form. This change offers greater flexibility for some applicants, but it also comes with important caveats...

08:43 / Citizen / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News
07 Nov 2025

State Department Expands Health-Based Grounds for Visa Denials

The Trump Administration has directed the U.S. Department of State to issue new guidance directing consular officers to consider a significantly expanded range of health conditions when evaluating visa applications, including common chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mental health conditions. Although...

13:32 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Travel / Worker
04 Sep 2025

USCIS to Stop Accepting Checks and Money Orders, Effective 29.Oct.2025

In a significant policy shift, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced its plan to eliminate the ability to pay filing fees using personal checks, money orders, or other forms of paper payments, with few exceptions. For decades, these paper-based payments have been a...

09:05 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News
18 Aug 2025

USCIS Updates Policy Manual for Family-Based Immigrant Petitions

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Manual was recently updated, providing guidance related to family-based petitions. This update explains and clarifies eligibility criteria, filing procedures, interview scheduling, and other issues. Most notable is the USCIS decision to issue notices to appear (NTAs) –...

09:13 / Consulates / Family Based / For Families / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News
10 Jul 2025

Immigration Impact of ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

President Trump signed a spending bill, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” into law on 04.Jul.2025. While the bill does not fundamentally change who is eligible for U.S. immigration benefits or create new, legal pathways, it dramatically increases funding for immigration enforcement and increases the financial...

08:58 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / Legislation / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Worker
30 Jun 2025

DOS Clarifies National Interest Exception Process for Travel Ban

Following the implementation of the travel ban implemented on 09.Jun.2025, many foreign nationals have been left with questions regarding their eligibility for visa issuance and admission to the United States. While the proclamation restricts entry for many, it includes provisions for exceptions, including a national...

11:44 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Resident / Student / Travel / Visitor / Worker
26 Jun 2025

Overcoming a Finding of Fraud or Willful Misrepresentation at the Consulate

If U.S. consular officers determine that an applicant committed fraud or willful misrepresentation to obtain an immigration benefit, they can make a finding under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 212(a)(6)(C)(i) that makes the applicant inadmissible to the United States. A finding of fraud or willful...

11:47 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Visitor / Worker