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 moreCelebrate Humanity
“Dear New York” by Brandon Stanton
This week, we happened upon “Dear New York,” a striking new exhibition at Grand Central Terminal. Conceived by artist Brandon Stanton, who is best known for his work “Humans of New York,” and produced in collaboration with the MTA, Pentagram, Juilliard, Korins Studio, and NYC Public Schools, the installation transforms one of the city’s most iconic public spaces into a powerful celebration of everyday New Yorkers.
Replacing the advertisements that typically adorn the space, Stanton’s immersive art installation of vivid photographs fills the terminal. Each photograph captures authentic moments and stories from across the five boroughs. In the grand concourse, 50-foot projections cycle through portraits and quotes, set to a moving live piano performance that adds emotional depth to the experience. A particularly meaningful section features portraits of individuals nominated by NYC students, accompanied by heartfelt notes explaining why their nominee inspires them.
“Dear New York” is more than an art installation, it’s a love letter to the city and its dwellers, as well as a reflection of its diversity, resilience, and creativity. It also highlights the transformative potential of public art in urban spaces. If you're in the area within the next two weeks, through October 19th we encourage you to visit and celebrate humanity.
The Art of Diplomacy
“Don’t ASK” by Allison Katz
As a slight chill descends on New York, we sought comfort from the changing seasons at one of our favorite places for public art, the High Line, to observe Allison Katz’s Don’t ASK. Hovering above the intersection of 18th Street and 10th Avenue, Don’t ASK features two oversized chickens mid-crosswalk, playfully referencing the classic anti-joke: “Why did the chicken cross the road?” But rather than providing an answer, the installation leans into uncertainty, highlighting possibility, anticipation, and the unknown. Katz’s piece reflects her interest in roads and transportation systems, not just as infrastructure, but as symbols of thought in motion. The road becomes a metaphor for ideas, transitions, and open-ended futures. Visually, Don’t ASK mimics the towering advertisements that define New York City’s skyline. However, instead of selling a product, it reclaims the billboard format to provoke reflection rather than consumption. In a city of constant movement and noise, Don’t ASK offers a quiet interruption, a thoughtful invitation to pause, consider, and embrace not knowing.
Helpful 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
“What’s so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding” by Adam Cvijanovic
This week, we visited the recently dedicated mural “What’s so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding” at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the heart of New York City, a work named in reference to the song popularized by Elvis Costello. Created by Brooklyn-based artist Adam Cvijanovic, the mural marks the first major art commission at the cathedral since 1949.
Standing at roughly 21 feet tall and comprised of four segments that frame the cathedral's entrance, the mural is a sweeping visual narrative. It depicts the arrival of immigrants to New York City in the 19th century and today, alongside powerful imagery of first responders and traditional Catholic iconography.
Cvijanovic’s work is an artistic feat that seamlessly blends Catholic tradition with American pluralism. Drawing inspiration from Baroque drama, Byzantine iconography, and modernist abstraction, the mural honors the diversity of New York and the immigrants who have shaped the city’s identity. This vibrant addition to St. Patrick’s Cathedral is both a spiritual and civic celebration, one that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
