February 2025 » Page 2 of 3

Board of Immigration Appeals

Trump Administration to Downsize Immigration Appeals Board

A recent executive order reduced the size of the Immigration Appeals Board from 28 to 15 members. Nine of the removed board members were appointed by the Biden administration. The stated reason for removal was operational and budget challenges. Employees claim the move was politically motivated. It’s reminiscent of Attorney

February 21, 2025

executive order

Executive Order Cuts U.S. Embassies Staff

President Trump signed an executive order on February 12, 2025, cutting staff from U.S. embassies. Some embassies plan for a ten percent reduction in staff. Agencies across the State Department expect a similar level of staff cuts. The executive order, titled “One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations,” mandates State Department

February 19, 2025

DHS

Justice Department Terminates Multiple Immigration Judges

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) fired multiple immigration judges on February 14, 2025. An estimated eighteen midlevel immigration judges and judicial candidates make up the latest round of federal worker terminations by the Trump Administration. The decision places additional pressure to an already significant immigrant case backlog. 2024 saw a

February 19, 2025

nonimmigrant visa

U.S. Consular Posts Change Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Protocol

U.S. consular posts announced changes to nonimmigrant visa protocols effective immediately. The most significant change being revising the eligibility of the interview waiver (also known as drop-box or mail-in) program. The revision marks a return to the narrower pre-COVID criteria. Automatic eligibility to waive the in-person visa interview now only

February 18, 2025

FY2025 H-1B

Comprehensive 2025 H-1B Visa Compliance Guide

After several years of a more relaxed immigration landscape, U.S. policy is now shifting back to stricter scrutiny and increased enforcement actions. The 2025 H-1B visa program has been a major focus in the past and we can expect that it will again be under a microscope. While the current

February 17, 2025

DHS

DHS Requests Support from IRS for Immigration Enforcement

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requested the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provide personnel to assist with immigration enforcement. Secretary Noem stated placing IRS employees under Department of Homeland Security supervision helps pursue financial audits of businesses suspected of having undocumented workers or engage in illegal activity. This marks the latest

February 17, 2025

Trump Immigration Policy

Trump Sued Over Refugee Program Suspension

A group of refugees and nonprofits sued President Trump for his U.S. refugee program suspension and withholding funds for refugee services. The suit argues Trump unilaterally shut down the refugee program, thereby exceeding his authority. Critics claim the President arbitrarily exceeded the limits of his executive power by cutting funding

February 14, 2025

March 2025 Visa Bulletin

March 2025 Visa Bulletin: Modest Movement in Most Employment-Based Categories, Retrogression for EB-4

The Department of State released the March 2025 visa bulletin. The visa bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant visas both for consular processing and adjustment of status applications to be filed in March 2025. The State Department releases both the Final Action Dates and Application Filing Dates for Employment-Based and

February 14, 2025

FY2025 H-1B

2025 H-1B Visa Material Changes After Approval Guide

On January 17, 2025, a new rule for the FY 2025 H-1B visa went into effect which formally codified many existing USCIS adjudicatory practices. The rule focuses on strengthening the definition of specialty occupation, providing greater power to USCIS to deny/revoke approvals for employers who do not cooperate during site

February 12, 2025

Noncitizen travel

Alert for Nonimmigrant Visa Holders Traveling Abroad

Due to incomplete documentation and a lack of proper preparation, many nonimmigrant visa holders traveling abroad face heightened scrutiny and prolonged questioning when returning to the United States. This can result in deferred inspections, denied admission, and even expedited removal from the U.S. As such, preparation is critical prior to

February 11, 2025