On March 31, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the completion of the selection process for the H-1B cap lottery for fiscal year (FY) 2027.
Articles Discussing Employing Immigrants.
State Department Expands ‘Online Presence Review’ for Additional Nonimmigrant Visas Effective March 30
The Department of State has announced an expansion of its 2025 visa screening and vetting process for certain nonimmigrant visas to other classifications. The new policy is scheduled to go into effect March 30, 2026. Consular officers will be broadening “online presence review” as part of adjudicating certain nonimmigrant visa applications. Groups already subject to… Continue Reading
DOL Proposed Rule Would Increase Wage Levels for H-1B Visas, PERM Labor Certifications
On March 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes significant changes related to how prevailing wages are calculated for employers seeking to hire foreign workers under H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa statuses, as well as permanent labor certification under PERM
DOL Proposed Rule Seeks Higher Prevailing Wages Levels for Foreign Workers
DOL Proposed Rule Seeks Higher Prevailing Wages Levels for Foreign Workers
The U.S. Department of Labor is scheduled to issue a proposed rule that would increase and re-adjust the “prevailing wage” levels for key employment-based immigration sponsorship programs. The prevailing wage rate refers to the average salary paid to workers
Haiti and Syria TPS Update: Additional Agency Guidance for I-9 and E-Verify Compliance
USCIS and E-Verify have updated their previous coordinated employer guidance with respect to handling I-9 and E-Verify compliance for current TPS beneficiaries from Haiti and Syria. Below are updated instructions. Form I-9 Complete Section 1 and Section 2 on I-9s as follows: New Hire Instructions: Existing Employee Instructions: E-Verify The E-Verify updates (see Haiti and… Continue Reading
State Department’s Visa Bond Program: 12 New Countries Added to the List
The U.S. Department of State announced an update to its “Countries Subject to Visa Bonds” notice on March 18, 2026, expanding the pilot program to include twelve additional nations. Under the visa bond pilot program, certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants from subject nations may be required to post refundable cash
One Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on TPS Work Permits
One Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on TPS Work Permits
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This federal budget reconciliation law addresses various issues including tax policy, border security and immigration, defense, energy production, the debt ceiling, and modifications
The Form I-9 “Hire Date” Trap
Employers have become highly efficient at onboarding new hires. Electronic systems now allow employees to complete tax forms, benefits elections, and employment paperwork before their first day of work. That efficiency has created a surprisingly common
TPS Update for Burma, Ethiopia, Haiti, and More: Employer I-9, E-Verify Checklists Following Agency Guidance
Takeaways USCIS and E-Verify have published coordinated employer guidance confirming how to handle I-9 and E-Verify compliance for current Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries. TPS for Burma, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria Federal courts in Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia have stayed, or paused, the planned termination of Burma, Ethiopia,… Continue Reading
Significant Forward Movement in April 2026 Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State’s April 2026 Visa Bulletin shows significant advancement for most countries and preference categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to accept employment-based adjustment of status filings based on the Dates for Filing chart in April 2026.
Diversity Visa Lottery Selection Opens on March 11, 2026
The U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) program, established by the Immigration Act of 1990 and known as the “Diversity Lottery,” aims to increase immigrant diversity by selecting individuals from countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates. Annually, 55,000 immigrant visas are distributed through a random selection process. The U.S. Department of
USCIS Introduces a New Edition of Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new edition of Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, on February 27, 2026, in connection with the wage-weighted H-1B lottery process taking effect this year. Petitioners must use the new form for any petition postmarked on or after April 1, 2026, which
B-1 Visa Updates: New Specialized Trainers Category for Foreign Nationals
The U.S. Department of State recently updated the Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 402.2) to expand and clarify the scope of B-1 visa eligibility for foreign nationals providing after-sales services and training to U.S. workers. These updates introduce a new “Specialized Trainers” category and refine the existing “Commercial or Industrial
March 2026 Visa Bulletin Brings Meaningful Forward Movement
The U.S. Department of State’s March 2026 Visa Bulletin shows significant advancement for almost all countries and preference categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to accept employment-based adjustment of status filings based on the Dates for Filing Chart in March 2026.
Texas Freezes Filing of New H-1B Petitions by State Agencies and Public Institutions of Higher Education
On January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a letter directing Texas state agencies controlled by gubernatorially appointed heads and public institutions of higher education to freeze the initiation or filing of “new” H-1B petitions until May 31, 2027, which is the end of the Texas Legislature’s 90th regular