Effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State will pause issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from seventy-five designated countries. This announcement renews the Trump administration’s push for immigrants to demonstrate they are “financially self-sufficient and not a financial burden on Americans.” During this pause, the State Department will
Articles Discussing Employing Immigrants.
February 2026 Visa Bulletin Shows Advancement in the EB-3 Category, Except for China-Mainland and India
The U.S. Department of State’s February 2026 Visa Bulletin shows advancement from the January 2026 Visa Bulletin in both final action dates and dates for filing in the EB-3 category. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it would continue to accept employment-based adjustment of status filings based
Employee Stranded Abroad? Navigating U.S. Visa Delays and International Remote Work Risks
Some U.S. employers are facing a complicated situation: a foreign national employee on a work visa, such as an H-1B, travels abroad for what should be a short trip, with the goal of renewing the visa stamp travel document, only to become stranded due to unforeseen visa processing delays. With
DHS Drops One‑Year Abroad Hurdle for Returning R‑1 Religious Workers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that removes the long‑standing requirement that R‑1 nonimmigrant religious workers who have exhausted the maximum five‑year period in R‑1 status must spend one full year abroad before becoming eligible to return in R‑1 classification. Under the IFR, an R‑1 nonimmigrant who has… Continue Reading
Federal Court Vacates TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua; DHS Separately Ends Somalia TPS
On Dec. 31, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decisions to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, finding that the terminations violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The court concluded that DHS failed to conduct an objective assessment of… Continue Reading
Determining Work Authorization for Employees on TPS and Humanitarian Parole – Updated January 15, 2026
Determining Work Authorization for Employees on TPS and Humanitarian Parole – Updated January 15, 2026
The Trump administration has enacted significant policy changes impacting individuals authorized to work under various immigration programs, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), humanitarian parole, and the CHNV programs.
tgelbman@littler.com Thu, 01/15/2026 – 09:54
CBP’s Proposed Changes to the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA for B-1 and B-2 Visitors
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed significant updates to its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application process. ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to and enter the United States (by air, sea, or land) under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
State Department to Suspend Consular Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Starting 1.21.26
The Department of State is expected to pause consular immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026, according to multiple public reports. This development represents a significant expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts that include more intensive screening and review of overseas visa applicants. The government reportedly is undertaking a wide‑ranging… Continue Reading
USCIS Premium Processing Fees Will Increase on March 1, 2026
On January 12, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule that will increase fees associated with its Premium Processing Service. The increased fees will take effect on March 1, 2026, and are based on inflation measured from June 2023 through June 2025.
USCIS Broadens Scope of Adjudication Hold for Pending Benefit Requests of Certain Foreign Nationals
On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194, expanding its suspension of adjudicating pending benefit requests filed by or on behalf of foreign nationals from countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10998, issued December 16, which added new countries to the existing travel ban list.
State Department’s Visa Bond Program: 32 New Countries and 6 New Airports Added to the List
The U.S. Department of State announced an update to its “Countries Subject to Visa Bonds” notice on January 6, 2026, expanding the pilot program to include thirty-two additional nations—including Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda, and Venezuela—and expanding acceptable ports of entry to include nine international airports in the United States and
$100K H-1B Fee Case Fast-Tracked in Federal Appeals Court
The U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed on Jan. 5, 2025, to fast-track the appeal of the recent federal court ruling upholding the Trump Administration’s imposition of a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa petitions. On Dec. 24, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the… Continue Reading
Determining Work Authorization for Employees on TPS and Humanitarian Parole – Updated January 7, 2026
Determining Work Authorization for Employees on TPS and Humanitarian Parole – Updated January 7, 2026
The Trump administration has enacted significant policy changes impacting individuals authorized to work under various immigration programs, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), humanitarian parole, and the CHNV programs.
tgelbman@littler.com Wed, 01/07/2026 – 13:52
CBP Updates List of Countries Exempt From Six-Month Passport Validity Rule
On December 18, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced an update to the Carrier Liaison Program (CLP), including a revised list of countries whose citizens are exempt from the six-month passport validity rule. This update supersedes the previous list found in the 2022–2023 Carrier Information Guides and any
USCIS Implements Wage Based H-1B Visa Distribution System for FY 2027
USCIS Implements Wage Based H-1B Visa Distribution System for FY 2027