October 2025 » ImmigrationUSA

Family-Based Visa

Immediate Relatives vs. Family Preference Immigration Categories

There are two family immigration categories for relatives of a U.S. citizen. An Immediate Relative is the spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen. All other qualifying family members immigrate under the Family Preference categories. The primary difference is that Immediate Relatives have an unlimited number of visas available,

October 29, 2025

DHS

DHS Ends Employment Authorization Auto Extension

Following an interim final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the auto extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for timely renewal applicants will end on October 30, 2025. This applies to most EAD categories. This reverses the up to 540-day automatic extension that was in place for

October 29, 2025

Form I-864

I-864 Affidavit of Support: A Sponsor’s Guide

Signing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as a sponsor means entering a contract with the U.S. Government and undertaking specific financial and legal responsibilities for the immigrant you’re sponsoring. An I-864 affidavit shows the government an immigrant won’t rely on them

October 29, 2025

ICE

Judge Reaffirms Noncitizen Right to Bond Hearings

Any noncitizen detained by immigration authorities are entitled to bond hearings, per a federal judge’s ruling. The proclamation overrules a government policy requiring detainment of noncitizens without a chance for release. This means Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can’t keep detained noncitizens in custody lawfully. It’s unclear if the government

October 27, 2025

border security

Noncitizen Photographs Mandatory when Entering the U.S.

Taking photographs of a noncitizen entering and leaving the U.S. is now mandatory, per a new rule by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The new rule applies to minors too. The public has until December 25, 2025 to comment on the proposed rule change. According to the DHS, the

October 27, 2025

EB-5

DHS Proposes Reduction in EB-5 Fees

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is rolling out reductions to EB-5 Investor Visa fees. The proposed rule drops the filing fee for a Form I-526 petitions from $11,160 to $9,625. If implemented, investors pay fourteen percent less than they already do. Public commenting on the proposed EB-5 fees last

October 27, 2025

H-1B visa

Impact of the New H-1B Fee on Higher Education

The government frames the new H-1B fee as an opportunity for fostering U.S. born STEM workers and students in both the education sphere and the workforce. However, experts argue the H-1B fee only shrinks opportunities at American universities for all students. Additionally, the cost of the new fee makes hiring

October 27, 2025

asylum claim

Asylum Claims Barred for Those Engaged in Persecution

Immigration authorities will deny asylum claims of individuals that engaged in the persecution of others, per an announcement by the U.S. Attorney General. This rule applies to individuals who participated under coercion. The new operational opinion went into effect on October 22, 2025. The new opinion is based on a

October 27, 2025

asylum claim

Uptake in Asylum Pretermission Rates

Since January 2025, there’s been significant expansion in the reasons behind the pretermission of asylum cases by immigration judges (IJs) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recently affirmed that IJs may deny applications that, even when viewed in the light most favorable to

October 23, 2025

B-1

B-1 Eligibility Changes for Athletes

The Department of State (DOS) recently published an overview of revisions to B-1 eligibility for professional athletes. The changes went into effect on September 17, 2025. Changes in B-1 eligibility also affect athlete’s teams and support staff. Changes Overview There are three revisions posing a significant impact to professional athletes:

October 23, 2025