We start the week with the unfortunate news that hundreds of visa applicants were turned away at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, following a political dispute between President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Tensions between the two heads of state came to a head on Sunday after…
Are you applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence (a green card)? If so, you will be pleased to know that on January 22, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is waiving any and all requirements for the COVID-19 vaccination on the Form…
It has been less than 24 hours since President Donald Trump has taken office, and he has already signed into law a flurry of executive orders directly impacting immigration. More than a dozen of these executive orders dismantle Biden era immigration policies, and usher in restrictive policies for visa seekers,…
At the Law Offices of Jacob J. Sapochnick, we are proud to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. who once said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His endless pursuit for justice, and the belief that we are all created equal continue to inspire…
On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released updated police guidance for EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions. The updated policy guidance is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after its publication date of January 15. This guidance provides insights into how…
We are just 14 days away from Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, setting the stage for a new era in the world of immigration. The President’s border czar Tom Homan is set to be one of the key players of the incoming Trump administration, in charge of securing our nation’s borders.…
Last month, San Diego’s Board of Supervisors passed a resolution ending the use of county resources aiding federal immigration enforcement actions. The measure was made ahead of President Trump’s inauguration and puts an end to the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Previously, local law…
After years of criticizing the H-1B work visa program, benefitting highly skilled foreign talent, on Saturday the President-elect shocked the world when he pledged his support for the program. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor…
New changes to the H-1B work visa program are coming on January 17, 2025. A new final rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Federal Register lays out some of the critical changes that H-1B beneficiaries and U.S. employers can expect. These changes will become effective…
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the January 2025 Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month. USCIS Adjustment of Status The U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS)…