Following President Trump’s September 19, 2025 proclamation “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” requiring employers to pay a $100,000 fee for certain H 1B workers seeking to enter the United States, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) released additional guidance on October 20, 2025. This update, published on USCIS’s H-1B webpage , clarifies how and when the new fee applies but still leaves several key issues unresolved.
Read moreOPINION The “Gold Card” Green Card: A Concerning Shift in US Immigration Priorities
On September 19, 2025, following his February 25, 2025 remarks previewing a residency pathway for high-net-worth individuals, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security to establish a new immigrant visa program within 90 days. The initiative, now known as the “Trump Gold Card” program, will allow foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the United States based on a significant financial contribution: at least US $1 million by an individual applicant, or US $2 million when paid by a corporation on behalf of an individual.
Read moreNew US Citizenship Civics Test Effective October 20, 2025
Beginning October 20, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will implement the 2025 Civics Test, announced on September 17, 2025. The agency has stated that the updated test aims to ensure applicants demonstrate a deeper understanding of US history, government, and civic responsibilities, with the goal of naturalizing individuals who are “fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness.” Applicants who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, will be required to take the new test. Those who filed, or have pending applications, before that date will continue to take the 2008 Civics Test.
Read moreWhen Speech Has Consequences – Implications for Visa Issuance
On October 14, 2025, the US Department of State (“DOS”) reported they had revoked the visas of six foreign nationals who had made seemingly mocking or celebratory comments via social media about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot while speaking at a university event in Utah. Citizens from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa were among those affected. Posting on X, the DOS thread included the social media posts or comments in question, with the users’ handles or names redacted and identified only by their country of origin, followed by “Visa revoked.”
Read moreHelpful Q and A’s on the New H-1B Visa Rule
Uncertainty continues to surround the new presidential proclamation on H-1B visas, as critical operational details remain unresolved. Employers, attorneys, and H-1B beneficiaries alike should proceed with caution and be prepared for additional guidance and possible changes in the days ahead. We have published a more detailed overview of the proclamation, but in response to the immediate concerns raised by our community, we have prepared answers to some of the most pressing questions. These responses are based on the latest guidance from United Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and other official sources.
Read moreNavigating the New H-1B Executive Action: Advisory for H-1B Visa Holders
On Friday, September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” putting into effect a ban on H-1B specialty occupation employees from entering the United States as of September 21, 2025, unless their employer had paid a $100,000 fee for the sponsored employee. The announcement was unclear and seemed to imply that the newly imposed fee was applicable to all H-1B visa holders who were outside of the US on the 21st of September. As a result, a frenzy besieged the employment-based immigration community with many H-1B workers receiving “urgent e-mails…with travel advisories to remain in the US and asking those outside the country to return before the 12:01AM deadline on Sunday, September 21st.
Read moreThe Gold Card
USCIS to Add Special Agents to Enforce Immigration Laws
On September 4, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that the agency will now be authorized to employ its own law enforcement agents with arrest powers in accordance with the final rule printed in the Federal Register on September 5, 2025.
Read moreHow to Navigate the End of Third-Country Visa Processing for Nonimmigrant Visas
On September 6, 2025, the US Department of State (“DOS”) announced the end of a decades-old practice that allowed nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews in third countries—places other than their country of nationality or legal residence. The change sweeps broadly, affecting students applying for F-1 and J-1 visas, visitors requiring B-1/B-2 visas, and professionals applying for H-1B, O-1, and other work categories. The announcement comes at the heels of a previous decision announced on July 25th that effective September 2, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer putting an end to the visa drop box or Interview Waiver Program.
Read moreVisa Bond Pilot Program for Visitors Effective August 20, 2025
On August 5, 2025, the US Department of State (“DOS”) published a temporary final rule in the Federal Register that will test a visa bond pilot program for one year commencing August 20, 2025. Nationals of certain countries, currently Malawi and Zambia with more countries to be added to the list, will potentially be subject to the bond requirement when applying for B-1/B-2 visas for travel to the US. Under the program, consular officers, at their discretion, may require certain nonimmigrant visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of $5000, $10,000, or $15,000 before a visa is issued. Visas issued under the pilot program will be valid for three months and a single entry into the US. US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) will admit the visa holders for a maximum stay of 30 days in most cases.
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