F-1 News Archives • Kidambi & Associates, P.C.

Trump Administration Issues Final Rule to End Foreign Student Visa Flexibility

kidambil2026-07-27T23:28:03+00:00Jul 20, 2026|

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/07/16/trump-administration-issues-final-rule-end-foreign-student-visa-abuse In an extremely short-sighted move, the current administration is ending the Duration of Status rule that allowed students to pursue higher education and contribute to the innovation and growth of the United States. The following changes will go into effect: Fixed Admission Caps: Nonimmigrant students (F visas) and exchange visitors (J visas) will be [...]

USCIS Adjustment of Status Policy Update and Next Steps – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

kidambil2026-05-26T13:40:24+00:00May 26, 2026|

Dear Clients, We are writing in response to the May 22, 2026, announcement by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that it will treat adjustment of status as relief to be granted only in what it describes as extraordinary circumstances, while emphasizing consular processing as the ordinary path in many cases. USCIS paired that announcement [...]

Think Immigration: Saving America – One Immigrant at a Time

kidambil2025-10-31T15:22:40+00:00Oct 31, 2025|

AILA Member Vaman Kidambi describes the September 30 decision by District Court Judge William Young protecting the free speech rights of international students and scholars under the Constitution, noting that the judge is a “gladiator of sorts for first amendment protections.” READ MORE

USCIS Announces Registration Requirements for Some Immigrants

kidambil2025-02-28T17:59:18+00:00Feb 28, 2025|

PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND NONIMMIGRANTS IN LEGAL STATUS INCLUDING F, J, H, L, O-1, E, P, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ARE CONSIDERED ALREADY REGISTERED. On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued the Protecting the American People Against Invasion executive order which directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that aliens comply with their duty to register with the [...]

Easing the Nonimmigrant Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates

kidambil2024-06-21T15:43:39+00:00Jun 21, 2024|

On June 18, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced actions to more efficiently facilitate employment-based nonimmigrant visas for those who have graduated from college in the United States and have a job offer. This initiative will allow certain individuals to more quickly receive nonimmigrant work visas if they are deemed eligible. As part of this initiative, [...]

USCIS Announces Inflation Adjustment to Premium Processing Fees

kidambil2024-01-12T17:12:08+00:00Jan 12, 2024|

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a final rule that will increase the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, to adjust for inflation. The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and the authority for the Department of Homeland Security to adjust the premium fees on a biennial basis. After [...]

How to Submit a Case Assistance Request

kidambil2023-11-10T16:26:11+00:00Nov 10, 2023|

The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) assists individuals and employers in resolving difficulties they are experiencing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

USCIS Announces Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion [EB-1C – Now, F-1 OPT (coming)]

kidambil2023-01-23T22:46:39+00:00Jan 14, 2023|

USCIS announced that: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing the final phase of the premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. Unlike previous phases of the expansion, this phase applies to new (initial) petitions, in addition to all previously filed Form I-140 petitions under [...]

Opportunity for Academic Training Extensions for J-1 College and University Students in STEM Fields

kidambil2022-01-28T22:25:30+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

The Directorate of Private Sector Exchange (Private Sector) is announcing an initiative for College and University Student-category exchange visitors participating in academic training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This opportunity is in response to the recent Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education. Department-designated sponsors have also expressed [...]

USCIS Provides Updated Criteria for Determining If a Case Warrants Expedited Treatment

kidambil2022-01-28T22:17:15+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how they determine whether a case warrants expedited treatment. The new guidance is effective immediately. This update: Clarifies the criteria and circumstances under which we generally consider expedite requests from nonprofit organizations as determined by the Internal Revenue Service Provides additional examples of [...]