On August 15, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum that changes how officers evaluate applications for naturalization. While the law has long required applicants to demonstrate good moral character, the new memo instructs officers to apply a broader and more discretionary review when deciding who qualifies for U.S....
ABA Issues Alert Regarding Fraudulent Immigration Law Practices
For Immediate Release
Ridgewood, N.J. — August 27, 2025 — The American Bar Association (ABA) has issued an alert to the public regarding a sharp increase in the number of individuals fraudulently posing as immigration attorneys. In many cases, these individuals falsely claim affiliation with reputable legal services organizations, including...
U.S. Visa Holders Face New “Continuous Vetting” Policy and Enforcement Expansion
On August 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) confirmed that it is implementing a sweeping “continuous vetting” process affecting an estimated 55 million current U.S. visa holders. The initiative allows authorities to regularly review visa holders’ records for potential grounds of revocation and possible deportation.
What...Key U.S. & Canadian Immigration Updates: Policy Shifts, H-1B Changes, and Visa Bulletin Insights
Immigration law is rapidly evolving under the Trump-Vance administration, with major updates impacting families, workers, and businesses. From USCIS’s new guidance on false claims to U.S. citizenship and the controversial “anti-Americanism” discretionary factor, to upcoming wage-based H-1B lottery changes and September 2025 Visa Bulletin updates, these shifts carry serious consequences for applicants....
U.S. Department of State Moves Business Visa Inquiries to Visa Navigator
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a significant change to how Business Visa inquiries are handled.
Since July 2005, the Business Visa Center (businessvisa@state.gov) has assisted businesses, partners, and customers around the world. As of March 2025, DOS has transitioned away...USCIS Policy Update: “Anti-American” Activity May Impact Immigration Benefit Requests
On August 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an update to its Policy Manual that could have serious consequences for foreign nationals applying for certain immigration benefits. Under the new guidance, USCIS officers may weigh whether an applicant has engaged in activity deemed “anti-American” when making discretionary decisions.
USCIS Moves Closer to Wage-Based H-1B Lottery: What Employers and Applicants Should Know
The H-1B visa program is again at the center of proposed regulatory changes. On July 17, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent a draft rule titled “Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB completed its review on...
Filing an I-130 Petition at the U.S. Embassy in India: What You Need to Know
When a U.S. citizen wants to sponsor a close family member for a green card, the Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is usually filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States. However, in very limited and exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to file the I-130 directly at...
H-1B Layoffs and NTAs: Why the 60-Day Grace Period May No Longer Be Reliable
A troubling trend is emerging for H-1B professionals laid off in the United States: some are receiving Notices to Appear (NTAs) in immigration court, even though they are still within the 60-day grace period that has historically provided a buffer after job loss.
This development is creating significant uncertainty for...
USCIS Issues New Guidance on False Claims to U.S. Citizenship
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual (Volume 8, Part K) regarding false claims to U.S. citizenship. These updates restore strict screening and enforcement against individuals attempting to defraud or abuse the U.S. immigration system.
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