President Trump Signs Executive Order Adding $100,000 Fee to Some H-1B Applications 

President Trump issued a proclamation, now effective, restricting the entry of certain H-1B beneficiaries seeking entry to the U.S. in H-1B status without payment of a new $100,000 fee. Click the links below to learn more.

DHS Proposes Changes to H-1B Lottery Process

DHS recently proposed a weighted registration process for the H-1B lottery. Under this new system, registrants would be entered into the selection pool a number of times depending on their assigned Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage level. The proposal, if implemented, would apply to both cap-subject and cap-exempt petitions.

Trump Announces $1 Million "Gold Card"

Trump recently announced the new "Gold Card" program which will grant permanent residency to individuals who pay the $1 million fee. According to Secretary of Commerce Lutnick, this Gold Card will eventually replace the current EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories.

DHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Syrian Nationals

On September 19, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Syria’s temporary protected status (TPS) designation. The termination is effective November 21, 2025, 60 days following the Federal Register publication. USCIS encourages the use of the CBP Home App to report departure and has issued a warning to Syrian nationals that those who fail to leave before the status expiration date will be subject to deportation and be permanently blocked from future re-entry into the United States.

For an up-to-date list of Temporary Protected Status terminations, click the link below.

Largest Economy in the World Needs More Money; to Impose $250 Visa Integrity Fee on Non-Immigrant Visa Recipients

Effective October 1, a $250 fee will be required for recipients of non-immigrant visas. The new fee is meant to work as an incentive for travelers to comply with the conditions of their visa. 

USCIS Announces Upcoming Changes to the Naturalization Process

USCIS has recently announced various changes to the naturalization process, including a new civics test, plans to restore neighborhood checks, and evaluations of applicants' good moral character and positive contributions to the United States.

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