Posts

Jul 03, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

Court Strikes Down the $100,000 H-1B Fee as an Unlawful Tax — But an Administrative Stay Keeps It in Effect

A Massachusetts federal court vacated the $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax on June 8, 2026, but a June 12 administrative stay keeps the fee in effect pending the government's appeal to the First Circuit.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates

Jul 03, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

DOL Proposes 20–33% Prevailing Wage Hikes for H-1B and PERM — What EB-2 and NIW Applicants Should Watch

A March 2026 DOL proposal would raise H-1B and PERM prevailing wages by 20–33%, adding roughly $14,000 per worker per year — here's what it means for EB-2 and NIW applicants.

H-1B EB-2 NIW

Jul 03, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Court Vacates USCIS Benefits Freeze Affecting Applicants From 39 Countries

On June 5, 2026, a Rhode Island federal court vacated four USCIS policies that had frozen green card, work permit, naturalization, and asylum adjudications for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries, ordering nationwide relief.

USCIS Green Card Policy Updates

Jul 03, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Naturalization Hit Its Fastest Pace Since 2016 — Then a Filing Surge Pushed the N-400 Backlog Past 640,000

N-400 naturalization processing hit a median 5.7 months in FY2025 — the fastest since 2016 — but a fall 2025 filing surge pushed the backlog above 640,000 cases and lengthened average times to 7.9 months.

USCIS Processing Times

Jul 03, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

New USCIS Signature Rule Takes Effect July 10 — A Single Signing Error Can Now Trigger a Denial

A USCIS interim final rule effective July 10, 2026 lets adjudicators deny — not just reject — filings with invalid signatures, and keep the fee.

USCIS Green Card H-1B

Jul 03, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

Premium Processing in 2026: $2,965 Fee and 15-Business-Day Timelines for I-140 and I-129

USCIS premium processing costs $2,965 as of March 1, 2026 and guarantees action on I-140 and I-129 petitions in 15 business days — here's how it fits an NIW or EB-1A strategy.

USCIS Processing Times NIW

Jul 03, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Supreme Court Expands Border Authority Over Green Card Holders in Blanche v. Lau

The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Blanche v. Lau lets border officers treat returning green card holders as applicants for admission without clear-and-convincing proof of a crime.

Green Card USCIS

Jul 03, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

The End of 'Duration of Status': DHS Final Rule Would Cap F-1 and J-1 Stays at Four Years

A DHS final rule ending 'duration of status' for F-1, J-1, and I visa holders cleared OMB review on June 17, 2026, and would cap admission at four years with USCIS extensions required for longer programs.

USCIS Policy Updates Processing Times

Jul 03, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

The H-1B Lottery Is Ending: DHS Weighted-Selection Rule Prioritizes Higher-Paid Workers Starting FY2027

A DHS final rule effective February 27, 2026 replaces the random H-1B cap lottery with a weighted selection process that gives higher-wage beneficiaries more entries, first applying to the FY2027 cap season.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates

Jul 03, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

USCIS Reframes Adjustment of Status as 'Discretionary Grace' — What Green Card Applicants Should Know

USCIS memo PM-602-0199 restates that adjustment of status is discretionary relief — here's what it does and doesn't change for I-485 applicants.

Green Card NIW EB-2 USCIS