The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has suspended most routine visa services, effective August 7, until further notice. This suspension affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visas but does not apply to most diplomatic and official visas. The embassy emphasized that this is not a travel ban, stating the pause is due to ongoing concerns with the … Continued
The Trump administration is increasing scrutiny of legal immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship by broadening how “good moral character” is evaluated. Traditionally, this requirement was met if applicants had no serious criminal offenses or disqualifying conduct outlined in U.S. immigration law. New Factors Considered A new policy from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructs … Continued
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith has authorized officers to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about suspected undocumented immigrants who are not in police custody, including during traffic stops. D.C. is not officially a sanctuary city, but it has laws that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Consistent with these policies, Smith’s order prohibits police … Continued
A recent report from the Center for Immigration Studies suggests that more than one million undocumented immigrants have left the United States so far in 2025, not through formal deportation, but by choosing to leave on their own. The term “self-deportation” is resurfacing in headlines, but experts caution that the story behind the numbers is … Continued
On Friday, August 8th, the Trump Administration announced a policy change for the way in which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) analyzes eligibility under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Under the new policy, a visa becomes available for the purposes of CSPA age calculation based on the Final Action Dates chart on the … Continued
Between ICE raids and the recalendaring of immigration cases, immigrants may be facing unprecedented challenges concerning their safety and their stay in the United States. Understanding the current environment and respective rights can help immigrants proactively protect themselves. However, it is always advisable to seek professional guidance from an immigration attorney who can provide actionable … Continued
The Trump Administration will launch a one-year pilot program starting August 20, 2025, that allows consular officers to require visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates or insufficient vetting to post bonds of $5,000 to $15,000, typically at least $10,000. The aim is to discourage visa overstays. About 2,000 applicants are expected to be … Continued
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently released updated guidelines on the evaluation of family-based immigrant visa petitions, primarily affecting married couples seeking green cards. The updated policy states that approval of a family-based petition does not grant applicants legal status alone. USCIS also added that Notices to Appear may be issued in removal proceedings … Continued
U.S. immigration officials have recently announced plans that could impact two major groups: individuals applying for U.S. citizenship and those seeking or renewing H-1B work visas. The government says it wants to bring back a harder version of the citizenship test and make it tougher to get an H-1B unless the job pays a higher … Continued
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons recently stated in an interview on CBS that the agency plans to put measures in place to limit American companies hiring unauthorized workers. “Not only are we focused on those individuals that are, you know, working here illegally, we’re focused on these American companies that are … Continued