United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced on March 31, 2026, they had reached the H-1B Cap for Fiscal Year 2027 (“FY 2027”). The Service reported that it has received sufficient registrations to reach the congressionally mandated limits for the H-1B visa regular cap, as well as the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) for FY2027and has completed the lottery selection process.
Read moreThe Global Talent Machine
“The Raft” by Kenneth Doherty
While exploring Riverside Park last week, we came across “The Raft” by Kenneth Doherty, a member of the Art Students League of New York, and knew it merited its own post. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the Hudson River, the piece seems to emerge from the water itself, as though rising from unseen depths. The sculpture portrays a group clustered tightly on a tilted platform, their bodies leaning together in uneasy balance. Some faces convey fear and urgency, while others project quiet resilience, hinting at a shared struggle. Although the narrative is left open-ended, the figures suggest flight, an escape from unknown forces. The work inevitably calls to mind contemporary images of refugees navigating perilous seas, as well as the broader political tensions and environmental uncertainties that drive such journeys. In its stillness, “The Raft” captures motion, vulnerability, and endurance all at once, inviting viewers to confront both human fragility and collective strength.
More US Visa Applicants Will Be Subject to Online Screening Starting March 30
On March 25, 2026, the US Department of State (“DOS”) announced that beginning March 30, it is expanding its review of applicants’ online presence to include several additional nonimmigrant visa categories. The expanded screening update includes those applying for A-3, C-3 (for domestic workers), G-5, H-3 (and H-4 dependents of H-3 holders), K visas (K-1, K-2, K-3), as well as Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visas. Visa applicants under these categories will now undergo a review of their publicly available social media and online activity. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”
Read moreVisa Options for Chefs: Bringing Your Culinary Craft to the US
There’s something magical about the way food brings people together—across cultures, languages, and even visa categories. If you’ve ever been transported by a perfectly constructed biryani, a 12-course omakase, or a shockingly good roadside taco, you know that great food is a global experience. And behind those unforgettable meals are chefs—storytellers and artists whose medium is flavor, memory, and technique.
In this post, we’ll look at US visa options for chefs who want to bring their work to the United States. Whether you’re a rising talent looking for training opportunities, a seasoned executive chef leading a kitchen abroad, or an entrepreneur ready to launch your own restaurant, the US immigration system has a few solid pathways to explore. As always, this is a general guide—not legal advice—and if you’re a chef with serious plans to work in the US, it’s best to speak with an experienced immigration attorney (preferably one who also appreciates a good risotto and knows never to add cream to the carbonara!).
Read moreA Voice Cannot be Blocked
“Library for All” by Aseel Sawalha
This week, we went on a hunt for “Library for All” a creation by artist Aseel Sawalha which sits on the banks of the Hudson River in the northern stretch of the tranquil Riverside Park. Although we initially struggled to locate the sculpture, when we spotted the massive turquoise piece from the terrace overlooking the park, we rushed down the steps, leading us down to the banks of the river. Resembling a massive turquoise drill on a slight angle to burrow into the ground, the sculpture looks like it could teeter with just a slight gust of wind. Upon closer inspection, the piece is composed of sturdy found books arranged in different orientations to create its unique shape. The shape is no accident. Sawalha’s distinctly manmade form mirrors the industrial structures that disrupt the natural landscape. In conjunction with the natural materials present in the recycled writings that make up the piece, this installation on display through September 2026 is a must see for nature lovers and bookworms alike.
Immigrants in the Arts
"Chasing Rainbows" by Charlotte Colbert
As the weather begins to shift and hints of spring bring a renewed sense of optimism, we recently came across the two-part installation “Chasing Rainbows” by UK-based multimedia artist Charlotte Colbert, curated by New Public. Placed across New York’s Flatiron and Meatpacking neighborhoods, the towering sculptures invite passersby to pause amid the city’s constant movement and reconnect with a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them. Set in the shadow of the Flatiron Building, “Dreamland Sirens” takes the shape of a watchful eye supported by cascading mirrored tears that reflect the viewer and the surrounding city. With its unmistakable resemblance to the protective evil eye motif found across many cultures, we like to think it might also be quietly keeping watch over all of us. Nearby, “Where Angels Live” appears as a steel tree adorned with talismans and symbols representing meaning across cultures, religions, and personal beliefs. Together, the sculptures evoke protection, reflection, and perhaps a hopeful signal that brighter days lie ahead.
