by James Pinedo | Sep 2, 2025 | Human Resources Services
Former U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of Immigrant Visa Control Charlie Oppenheim is WR Immigration’s Director of Visa Consulting. Mr. Oppenheim leads two webinars each month in his “Chatting with Charlie” series regarding current visa issues and...
by Frank Alvarado | May 28, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. EB-2 India Category Unavailable Through End of Fiscal Year 2026 TPS for Lebanon Automatically Extended Through November...
by Frank Alvarado | May 28, 2026 | Global
Our May global immigration recap includes the latest on Canada’s temporary border measures to prevent the spread of Ebola, Mexico’s reforms to the Temporary Residence Visa category, Thailand’s revocation of its 60-day visa exemption policy for nationals of 93...
by Frank Alvarado | May 27, 2026 | Investor Visas
Recent USCIS guidance and public statements suggest that USCIS will begin applying a much stricter discretionary framework to Form I-485 adjustment of status applications, including employment-based cases such as EB-5. At this point, there is significant uncertainty...
by Frank Alvarado | May 27, 2026 | Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that the EB-2 India immigrant visa category has reached its annual fiscal year 2026 limit and is now unavailable through September 30, 2026. For Indian nationals and employers sponsoring highly skilled workers, this...
by Simon Williamson | May 22, 2026 | Immigration Updates
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 reaffirming that adjustment of status (Form I-485) is a discretionary immigration benefit—not an entitlement—and has historically been treated as an extraordinary form of relief allowing eligible individuals...
by Frank Alvarado | May 21, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. CDC Temporarily Suspends Entry for Certain Travelers Due to Ebola Concerns New Banking Orders Expand Fintech Access While...
by Frank Alvarado | May 20, 2026 | Investor Visas
Everything Investors Need to Know About EB-5, Concurrent Filing, Backlogs, Source of Funds, and Project Selection The EB-5 landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years. With concurrent filing, reserved visa categories, retrogression concerns, and...
by Frank Alvarado | May 18, 2026 | Investor Visas
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) appears to be significantly increasing national security-related scrutiny of EB-5 immigrant investor petitions filed by individuals employed by, affiliated with, or previously connected to certain Chinese technology...
by Frank Alvarado | May 14, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. DHS Advances Rule to End Duration of Status for Students and Exchange Visitors India Expands OCI Eligibility While...
by Frank Alvarado | May 14, 2026 | Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State’s June 2026 Visa Bulletin delivers a significant setback for Indian employment-based applicants, with steep retrogressions in both the EB-1 and EB-2 categories as immigrant visa demand continues to surge. EB-2 India retrogresses by more...
by Frank Alvarado | May 7, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. Congress Ends DHS Shutdown, Funding Gaps Remain USCIS Allows Doctors from Restricted Countries to Remain in U.S. U.S. Opens...
by James Pinedo | May 5, 2026 | Investor Visas
The newly launched Gold Card program is now operational, offering a pathway that appears to align with EB-1 or EB-2 immigrant visa categories. While this may be an option for certain individuals, we currently view the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program as the more...
by Frank Alvarado | May 1, 2026 | Global
Our April global immigration recap includes the latest on potential changes to Canada’s Express Entry system, the scope of Brazil’s business e-Visas for Chinese and Indian nationals, Poland’s new online residence permit system, the UAE’s Police Clearance Certificate...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 30, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. Board Rules DACA Does Not Automatically Halt Removal Proceedings Federal Court Orders Continued Green Card Processing while...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 23, 2026 | Immigration Updates
There have been reports from the immigration colleagues that USCIS is assessing whether the selected wage level aligns with the job’s duties and requirements. Specifically, USCIS seeks to align the LCA OES wage with DOL’s Prevailing Wage guidance from 2009. USCIS is...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 23, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. Federal Court Orders USCIS to Resume Work Permit Decisions Proposed Changes to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 20, 2026 | Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would substantially increase prevailing wage levels for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM programs. If finalized, the rule will raise wage requirements and materially impact employer costs and...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 18, 2026 | Investor Visas
The May 2026 Visa Bulletin offers a mix of modest forward movement, policy signaling, and interpretive ambiguity for EB-5 stakeholders. Below are five focused observations addressing both Chinese and Indian applicants across reserved and unreserved categories: 1. No...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 16, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. Spain Introduces Temporary Pathway to Regularize Immigration Status DOJ Challenges Local ICE Restrictions in Michigan...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 14, 2026 | Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State has released the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS) has confirmed a key procedural shift that will significantly impact adjustment of status filings this month. Key Takeaway: April 30 Filing...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 10, 2026 | Announcements, Resources
WR Immigration today announced the launch of its Trust Center, a centralized resource providing clients and partners with transparent access to the firm’s security, privacy, and compliance practices. Safeguarding client data is fundamental to WR Immigration’s...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 8, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. Guidance on Citizenship Verification and Voting Eligibility FIFA PASS Program: Priority U.S. Visa Interview Access for FIFA...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 3, 2026 | Global
Our March global immigration recap includes the latest on the EU’s implementation of the digital Entry/Exit System (EES), the United Kingdom’s updated guidance for sponsors of foreign workers, Australia’s skilled visa nomination income thresholds, Singapore’s new AI...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 2, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. H-1B FY 2027: Lottery Completed and Filing Period Now Underway Key H-1B & F-1 Risks for Employers State Department...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 1, 2026 | Immigration Updates
Without any announcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made significant changes to their policies related to Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification inspections, also known as “I-9 Audits”. ICE has published a new Fact Sheet online and as a...
