Following a wave of lawsuits from international students whose visas and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records were terminated without prior notice, the Trump administration has suddenly changed its course. In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun reinstating SEVIS records that were previously terminated,…
Articles Posted in Student Visa
F-1 International Students Battle Wave of ICE-Initiated SEVIS Terminations
F-1 International Students at university campuses across the country have been rocked by alarming reports that their visas and SEVIS records have been suddenly terminated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), without any prior notice to the university or the student. This new wave of SEVIS terminations which began…
Trump’s Latest Actions on Immigration: Immigrant Detention Facility in Guantánamo Bay, Combating Anti-Semitism on College Campuses, and the Laken Riley Act
This week President Trump unleashed a fresh barrage of executive orders targeting illegal immigration and antisemitism in the United States. Executive Order Expanding Migration Operations at Guantánamo Bay Among these orders, on January 29th the President signed, “Expanding Migration Operations Center at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay,” unveiling his administration’s plans…
Incoming Trump Administration Poised to Threaten H-1B Worker Visas
The fallout of the 2024 Presidential election has left high-skilled foreign workers asking what the Trump administration may have in store for them in the new year. Perhaps the most vulnerable to attack is the H-1B work visa program, which was previously targeted by the Trump administration. A second term…
Biden Administration Announces DED and TPS Protections for Lebanese Nationals in the United States
Today, October 17, 2024, the U.S. government announced new measures providing immigration relief to Lebanese nationals currently residing inside the United States. 18-Month Designation of TPS for Lebanon Firstly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the designation of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months.…
Biden administration extends TPS protections for Yemeni Nationals, Re-Registration Now Open
In this blog post, we share with you an important announcement from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). On July 8, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) benefits for Yemeni nationals for an 18-month period beginning from September 4, 2024 through March 3,…
Biden Administration Announces Deferred Enforced Departure for Palestinians
Yesterday, February 14, 2024, the Biden administration released a memorandum designating Palestinians present in the United States for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), based on the danger to civilians and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The President’s order halts the removal of certain Palestinians from the United States for a period…
USCIS Announces Increase in Premium Processing Filing Fees Starting February 26, 2024
As the new year approaches, we have some unfortunate news to report for certain employment-based applicants who may wish to file their petitions with premium processing service in 2024, including those filing: Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, as well as Certain…
USCIS Announces Expansion of Premium Processing for Applicants Seeking to Change into F, M, or J Nonimmigrant Status
The news you have been waiting for is finally here. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the expansion of premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. For the…
Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases Effective June 17, 2023
Certain types of nonimmigrants will be expected to shell out more money for the nonimmigrant visa process. The State Department has announced that starting June 17, 2023, nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based nonimmigrant visas such…