Posts

Aug 10, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

State Department Launches Public Charge Bond Pilot for Certain Immigrant Visa Applicants

The State Department's new pilot lets consular officers require select immigrant visa applicants to post USCIS-administered public charge bonds of up to $250,000.

Green Card USCIS Visa News

Aug 08, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Court Lets TPS Work Permits Lapse for El Salvador, Ukraine and Sudan Beneficiaries

A Massachusetts federal court declined on August 5 to block the government from curtailing TPS employment authorization, allowing work permits for three countries' beneficiaries to expire even though their TPS designations run into September and October.

TPS Work Permits EAD Court Ruling

Aug 08, 2026 • Green Card • 3 min read

Federal Judge Rules the 75-Country Immigrant Visa Freeze Unlawful

In De Moura Gomes v. Rubio, Judge Amit Mehta held that the State Department's blanket public-charge refusal policy covering nationals of 75 countries exceeds the Secretary of State's authority — but the relief so far reaches only one plaintiff.

Green Card Public Charge EB-5 Court Ruling

Aug 08, 2026 • Visa News • 3 min read

State Department Launches Public Charge Bond Pilot for Immigrant Visa Applicants

Beginning August 5, 2026, some immigrant visa applicants refused on public charge grounds can post a consular-set bond to obtain a visa — a separate program from the B-1/B-2 visitor bond finalized days earlier.

Green Card Public Charge Visa Bonds Consular Processing

Aug 08, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

State Department Proposes Broader Power to Terminate J-1 Exchange Visitors

A July 30 proposed rule would expand the grounds for terminating J-1 program participation, cut the SEVIS error-correction window from 120 days to 30, and impose strict advance deadlines for extensions. Comments close September 28, 2026.

J-1 Exchange Visitors SEVIS Proposed Rule

Aug 08, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

USCIS Can Now Deny Your Petition Without an RFE: Inside the August 5 Evidence Rule

USCIS Policy Alert PA-2026-05, effective August 5, 2026, lets officers deny incomplete filings outright without first issuing a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny — and it applies to cases already pending.

USCIS NIW EB-2 H-1B

Aug 05, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

$750 Buys a Faster B-1/B-2 Interview — But Only in Mexico, and Only Through December

A State Department temporary final rule lets B-1/B-2 applicants pay $750 for an interview within 10 business days, launching at Mission Mexico and running through December 31, 2026.

Visa News Processing Times Policy Updates

Aug 05, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

Appeals Court Refuses to Revive the $100,000 H-1B Fee — Petitions Stay Fee-Free Into 2027

The First Circuit denied the government's request to stay a ruling that vacated the $100,000 H-1B payment, leaving the fee unenforceable while the appeal proceeds.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates

Aug 05, 2026 • Immigration News • 2 min read

ICE Expands Airport Arrests to Visa Overstays — Including People With Pending Green Card Applications

Attorneys report ICE detentions at check-in counters, gates, and arrival terminals at 15+ U.S. airports, now reaching overstays with pending adjustment or EAD applications.

USCIS Green Card H-1B Policy Updates

Aug 05, 2026 • Visa News • 2 min read

State Department Makes Visa Bonds Permanent — B-1/B-2 Applicants From 50 Countries Face Up to $20,000

A final rule published August 3, 2026 converts the visa bond pilot into a permanent program and raises the maximum bond from $15,000 to $20,000.

Visa News Policy Updates USCIS