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.
The...TPS and Parole Program Updates – September 2025
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have recently released important updates affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and parole programs. These changes impact thousands of individuals from multiple countries, as well as their families and employers.
Below is a summary of the current landscape...
Major U.S. and Canadian Immigration Updates: H-1B $100,000 Fee, New DOL Rules, and Canadian Pathways
Immigration policies in the U.S. and Canada continue to evolve rapidly, bringing major changes that affect both employers and foreign professionals. From the new $100,000 filing fee for certain H-1B petitions to heightened Department of Labor enforcement and Canada’s merit-based immigration alternatives, these updates are reshaping strategies for businesses and individuals alike....
What to Know Before Marrying a U.S. Citizen on a Tourist Visa — Risks & Realities
Many couples find themselves in love and ready to marry while one partner is in the U.S. on a tourist visa. While marriage to a U.S. citizen is legal, the immigration path afterward can be far more complicated. Missteps can lead to denials, long separations, or even removal from the United States.
Beyond the Headlines: Will Canada Benefit from the New $100,000 H-1B Fee?
The U.S. immigration landscape shifted dramatically last week when President Trump signed a Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions. The announcement has caused understandable concern among U.S. employers, foreign workers, and students planning long-term careers in America.
In the immediate aftermath, some observers suggested that Canada...
How a Government Shutdown Could Affect U.S. Immigration Services
With the possibility of a federal government shutdown, many immigrants, employers, and families are left wondering how immigration processes may be disrupted. While some immigration agencies operate on fee-based funding and continue functioning, others may scale back or suspend services until Congress passes a new appropriations bill.
Here is...
DOL Proposes New H-1B Wage Rules Following Presidential Proclamation
On September 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (Document No. 2025-18473) that would raise prevailing wage levels for H-1B visa holders. This proposal follows President Trump’s recent Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions, and is part of...
Project Firewall: DOL’s New H-1B Enforcement Initiative
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced Project Firewall, a new enforcement initiative aimed at protecting America’s highly skilled workforce and strengthening oversight of the H-1B visa program.
This development follows the recent Presidential Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions. Together, these...
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