Posts

Jun 24, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Data Shows Legal Immigration Falling Sharply in 2026 — What It Means for Skilled Applicants

Government data and Migration Policy Institute analysis show legal immigration falling sharply in 2026 — with fewer visas, halved student-visa issuance, and worsening delays reshaping the system.

Policy Updates NIW Green Card Processing Times

Jun 24, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

DHS Proposes 75% Hike in Citizenship Fees: N-400 Would Jump to $1,330 and Fee Waivers Would End

A DHS proposed rule published June 23, 2026 would raise the N-400 naturalization fee about 75% to $1,330 and eliminate most fee waivers, with public comments due August 24, 2026.

USCIS Citizenship Naturalization Policy

Jun 24, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100,000 H-1B Fee as an Unlawful Tax

A Massachusetts federal judge vacated the administration's $100,000 H-1B fee as an unauthorized tax, but a conflicting D.C. ruling means the issue is likely headed to appeals or the Supreme Court.

H-1B Policy Updates USCIS

Jun 24, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

H-1B Lottery Is Changing: DHS Weighted Selection Rule Gives Higher-Wage Jobs Up to 4x Better Odds

A DHS final rule effective February 27, 2026 replaces the equal-odds H-1B lottery with a wage-weighted selection process for FY 2027, giving Level IV jobs up to four entries and far better odds than Level I.

H-1B USCIS Policy Processing Times

Jun 24, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

July 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India Goes Unavailable, EB-1 India Retrogresses, Most Categories Advance

The State Department's July 2026 Visa Bulletin makes EB-2 India unavailable for the rest of FY 2026, retrogresses EB-1 India, and advances EB-3 and several family categories.

Visa Bulletin EB-2 NIW Green Card +1 more

Jun 24, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

July 2026 Visa Bulletin: Employment-Based Final Action Dates Apply for Third Straight Month

The State Department's July 2026 Visa Bulletin keeps employment-based applicants on the Final Action Dates chart for a third month, with EB-2 India retrogressing to Unavailable.

Visa Bulletin EB-2 NIW Green Card

Jun 24, 2026 • Green Card • 2 min read

NIW Approvals Are Getting Harder: USCIS Guidance and a Collapsing Approval Rate Reshape the National Interest Waiver

USCIS's January 2025 NIW guidance and a Q4 2025 approval rate that fell to 35.7% have made the EB-2 National Interest Waiver significantly harder to win, raising the bar for evidence and case construction.

NIW EB-2 USCIS Green Card

Jun 24, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

USCIS Adjudication Hold Expands to 39 High-Risk Countries — What I-140 and Green Card Applicants Should Know

USCIS expanded its adjudication hold to nationals of 39 high-risk countries in January 2026, pausing I-140, I-485, I-765 and other filings — with a national-interest exception that may help NIW and EB-1A petitioners.

USCIS NIW Green Card Processing Times

Jun 24, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

USCIS Backlog Hits Record ~12 Million Cases as Processing Times Climb in 2026

USCIS closed FY2025 with a record backlog approaching 12 million cases, and 2026 processing times for I-130, I-129F, and I-90 have all risen — with the Ombudsman urging faster digitization.

USCIS Processing Times NIW Green Card

Jun 24, 2026 • Policy Updates • 2 min read

USCIS Now Accepts Online Filing for EB-1A and EB-2 NIW I-140 Petitions

USCIS has enabled online filing of standalone Form I-140 petitions for EB-1A and EB-2 NIW self-petitioners, offering faster receipts — though concurrent I-485 filings still go by mail.

NIW EB-1A USCIS EB-2