The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that E-Verify is now fully operational following a recent service disruption. All participating employers, HR professionals, and federal contractors should take immediate action to ensure continued compliance with employment verification requirements.
Action Required for EmployersLegal Challenge Filed Over $100,000 H-1B Fee: What Employers Need to Know
The first major lawsuit has been filed challenging President Trump’s recent Presidential Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions. This legal action represents the beginning of what could become a significant test of executive authority in the immigration arena.
On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a...
Canada Signals Plans to Attract U.S. H-1B Tech Workers After the New U.S. Fee Increase
The United States recently announced a US $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications, a change that has drawn global attention across the technology and business communities.
In response, Canada has indicated renewed interest in welcoming highly skilled professionals, particularly those currently living and working in the United States...
Agency Clarifications on $100,000 H-1B Fee: What We Know, What’s Still Unclear
In the days following President Trump’s Proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, federal agencies have begun clarifying how this unprecedented requirement will be applied.
What Agencies Have Confirmed New Petitions Only: The Department of State (DOS), USCIS, and...Proposed H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Bill Reintroduced: What Employers Need to Know
On September 29, 2025, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming the H-1B and L-1 visa programs.
The proposal—known as the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act—seeks to raise wage requirements, tighten compliance rules, and restrict third-party placement of foreign workers.
If enacted,...
September 2025 IRCC Immigration Backlog Update
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its September 2025 backlog figures, showing over 2 million applications still in processing. While Canada continues to finalize millions of decisions each year, certain categories like temporary resident visas and family sponsorships remain well above service standards.
Applicants should prepare for...
Canada Tightens Rules for Intracompany Transfers: What Employers Need to Know
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced stricter standards for Intracompany Transfer (ICT) work permits under the International Mobility Program. These changes are designed to ensure that only genuine transfers of executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers qualify. For employers, the new requirements mean more documentation and closer review — and...
E-Verify Temporarily Unavailable: What Employers Need to Know
As of October 1, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the E-Verify system is temporarily unavailable due to a lapse in appropriations and statutory authority. This means employers cannot access their E-Verify accounts to create new cases, resolve mismatches, or run reports.
What Employers Should...USCIS Site Visits Reported for STEM OPT and H-1B Applicants
In recent weeks, there have been multiple reports of USCIS officers conducting site visits in Minnesota and the Dakotas targeting foreign students and workers with pending applications. The visits have focused on individuals with:
STEM OPT extensions H-1B change of status petitionsWhy I-9 Compliance Is More Critical Than Ever for Employers
With immigration enforcement elevated under the current U.S. administration, I-9 compliance is now a major focus for employers across industries — especially those with large, high-turnover workforces. For companies in sectors like facilities management, healthcare support, and residential services, the risks of non-compliance have never been higher.
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