NEWS
Latest Update on $100,000 H-1B Fee
The USCIS Website has been updated with this latest update: On June 8, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order that vacated agency guidance implementing the $100,000 payment requirement for certain H-1B petitions. See [...]
The Fork in the Road – When Filing an Amended H-1B Petition Should be an Executive Decision
Employers should distinguish between changes that require an amended H-1B petition and changes that can be handled through LCA posting, short-term placement rules, or other compliance documentation. This Blog post helps analyze the requirements and provides guidance. READ MORE
Trump Administration Issues Final Rule to End Foreign Student Visa Flexibility
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 [...]
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Cap
https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-fiscal-year-2027-h-1b-cap U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.
Visa Bulletin for August 2026
August 2026 Visa Bulletin For Family-Sponsored Filings: For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for August 2026. For Employment-Based Preference Filings: For all employment-based preference categories, [...]
Visa Bulletin for July 2026
July 2026 Visa Bulletin For Family-Sponsored Filings: For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for July 2026. For Employment-Based Preference Filings: For all employment-based preference categories, [...]
The American Immigration Lawyers Association Presents Yasmin Blackburn with the 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Recognition Award
Ms. Blackburn is a “a transformative leader and a first-generation Afro-Latina with over 20 years of experience in business immigration law” who has “demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion” within AILA. Ms. Blackburn serves as the [...]
USCIS Adjustment of Status Policy Update and Next Steps – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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, [...]
Visa Bulletin for June 2026
June 2026 Visa Bulletin For Family-Sponsored Filings: For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for June 2026. For Employment-Based Preference Filings: For all employment-based preference categories, [...]
The Pitfalls of “Manufactured” Excellence: Why Your EB-1A Journey Needs Integrity
This blog post explores the sudden increase in EB-1A profile builders and “specialists” and why using them could harm your petition and even lead to charges of misrepresentation and fraud. READ MORE
Visa Bulletin for May 2026
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-may-2026.html For Family-Sponsored Filings: For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for May 2026. For Employment-Based Preference Filings: For all employment-based preference categories, you must use [...]
H-1B CAP Season: Q&A with an H.R. Director In partnership with Kidambi & Associates
This is a candid conversation between an attorney from Kidambi & Associates and the HR Director of a mid-sized IT company who recently navigated their first H-1B cap season under the new weighted-selection rules. The HR Director has chosen to [...]
Visa Bulletin for April 2026
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-april-2026.html For Family-Sponsored Filings: For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2026. For Employment-Based Preference Filings: For all employment-based preference categories, you must use [...]
The FY 2027 H-1B CAP Season: What’s Changing, What’s at Stake, and Why It Still Matters
Please read this blog about changes to the H-1B CAP for FY2027. Every spring, the H-1B cap season quietly shapes the future of American innovation. Employers scramble to register. Talented professionals around the world hold their breath. And the United [...]
FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 4 and run through noon Eastern on March 19, 2026. During this period, prospective [...]
DHS Reduces Wait Times for Thousands of Religious Workers Abroad
Release Date: January 14, 2026 New rule eliminates one-year foreign residency requirement for thousands of religious workers abroad WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued an interim final rule to religious organizations and their communities allowing thousands [...]
DHS Reduces Wait Times for Thousands of Religious Workers Abroad
Release Date: January 14, 2026 New rule eliminates one-year foreign residency requirement for thousands of religious workers abroad WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued an interim final rule to religious organizations and their communities allowing thousands [...]
5 Key Things You Need to Know to Ride this $100,000 H-1B Roller-Coaster
Here we provide an easy-to-understand article on the latest update to the H-1B $100,000 and fee and who may be exempt from paying it. Also covered are other aspects of the fee that remain unclear at this time. READ MORE [...]
Think Immigration: Saving America – One Immigrant at a Time
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 [...]
US Department of Labor launches Project Firewall to protect America’s highly skilled workforce
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the launch of Project Firewall, an H-1B enforcement initiative that will safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers by ensuring employers prioritize qualified Americans when [...]