Beginning in mid-December 2025, the U.S. consular posts in India (commonly referred to as “Mission India”) initiated widespread cancellations and rescheduling of H-1B visa appointments. Many interviews were postponed to March 2026 or later, with some applicants reporting dates extending…
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced significant changes to its visa interview waiver policy that will impact consular processing worldwide. Practitioners and applicants should prepare for a return to routine in-person interviews and the possibility of increased processing…
Update (August 5, 2026): Federal Courts Have Blocked the $100,000 Fee The $100,000 payment requirement described in this alert is not currently being enforced. In California v. Mullin, twenty states challenged the agencies’ implementation of the Proclamation (Proclamation No. 10973,…
What is Alien Registration? Pursuant to a 1940 law, every foreign national who will be in the U.S. for 30 days must be registered and fingerprinted. They are also required to carry proof of such registration at all times. This law has not been regularly enforced. However, a new process to register is set to begin on…
Recent updates from several U.S. consular posts indicate changes to the eligibility criteria for the Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waiver Program. These changes may affect applicants seeking to renew their visas without an in-person interview. What Has Changed? Previously, many consular posts…
Background The recent Supreme Court decision in Department of State v. Muñoz represents a significant missed opportunity to advance the principles of a “living constitution,” one that evolves with societal changes and values. Instead, the Court’s ruling perpetuates outdated and discriminatory policies…
Applicants for immigration benefits provide fingerprints, photographs, and a signature, to conduct required background checks. Applications for immigration benefits can be denied for abandonment if an applicant fails to appear for their biometrics appointment unless they timely filed a request…
Presidential Proclamation 10199 issued on April 30, 2021 restricts and suspends the entry into the United States of nonimmigrants, who were physically present within India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. The…
USCIS has announced it will suspend the biometrics requirements for certain I-539 applicants for a two-year period beginning on May 17, 2021. The biometrics suspension will apply to the H-4, L-2, and E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories of Form I-539…
The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions by various countries and airlines. Many green card holders are not returning to the U.S. even if permitted, to avoid the risk of being infected, as well as due to inability…
