U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has significantly expanded operations at domestic airports. Expanded Scope of Arrests From Criminal Records to Civil Violations: ICE operations at airports initially focused on individuals with outstanding removal orders or criminal records. Recent reports highlight a shift toward targeting individuals for...
What is the status of new USCIS Policy of requiring green card applicants to apply in their country and not in the US for adjusting status? As of late May 2026, USCIS has issued a new policy memorandum (dated May 21, 2026) that signals a significant...
Major legal battles are currently unfolding regarding the Trump administration's changes to asylum law. The most urgent development occurred today, August 25, 2026, when the administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene to preserve its asylum shutdown policy.These are the primary active lawsuits and legal...
What is the new USCIS policy regarding issuance of Request for Evidence and Notice of Intent to Deny application for benefits? Under a major policy update effective August 5, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now allows immigration officers to deny applications outright without first...
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sharing passenger travel data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has fueled a surge of immigration arrests at U.S. airport gates and jet bridges. This collaboration, operating under a formal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data-sharing framework, has triggered intense...
The newly finalized Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, published on July 17, 2026, marks the most comprehensive overhaul of U.S. international student regulations in decades. Taking effect on September 15, 2026, the 553-page regulation completely replaces the traditional "Duration of Status" (D/S) system with...
The term "extraordinary circumstances" is not explicitly defined by a set checklist or list of qualifying factors under current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines.This phrasing comes from a major USCIS policy shift issued on May 21, 2026 (Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199). Under this policy,...
The following are the latest updates on Asylum processing: Strict Signature Rule: A new USCIS policy takes effect July 10, 2026, clarifying that if USCIS accepts a benefit request and later determines it lacks a valid signature, the agency may, at its discretion, reject or deny...
In a sharp rebuke to President Trump, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Constitution guarantees automatic birthright citizenship to virtually all children born in the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the court's 6-3 opinion. The decision firmly rejected the executive order that Trump issued...
Filing a fiancé visa (K-1 visa) requires the U.S. citizen petitioner to file Form I-129F with USCIS. To qualify, the couple must have met in person within the past 2 years, both must be legally free to marry, and you must intend to officially wed...
After an asylum interview with a USCIS asylum officer, the decision process typically follows two potential paths, but as of late November 2025, USCIS has paused making final decisions on all pending asylum applications. Asylum interviews will continue, but final outcomes are currently delayed. The General...
Filing an I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, for a caregiver is the second major step in the employment-based green card process. If you already have an approved PERM Labor Certification, your employer (the petitioner) can now submit the petition to USCIS to establish the...