by Frank Alvarado | Sep 18, 2025 | 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. October 2025 Visa Bulletin Update: Big Advancement FY 2025 EB-5 Unreserved Category Reaches Annual Cap USCIS Reintroduces...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 17, 2025 | Immigration Updates, Investor Visas
The U.S. Department of State has officially announced that the EB-5 Unreserved immigrant visa category has reached its annual limit for FY 2025. Effective immediately, the category is unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year, through September 30, 2025. As a...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 17, 2025 | Immigration Updates
By Angelica Rice, Esq. & Joseph Barnett, Esq. On September 18, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will publish notice in the Federal Register that it will reimplement a revised civics test for naturalization applicants: the 2025 Naturalization...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 16, 2025 | Immigration Updates
The Department of State has released the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, opening FY 2026 with several notable developments for employment-based categories. Key Highlights EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3: Modest advancement across several countries (up to 3.5 months), with both China...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 10, 2025 | 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. New Guidance on Where to Apply for Nonimmigrant Visas Worksite Enforcement Resurges USCIS to Launch Its Own Law Enforcement...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 8, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Applicants Must Apply for Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visas in Country of Nationality or Residence The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued new guidance, effective September 6, 2025, clarifying where nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants must apply for their U.S....
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 4, 2025 | 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. USCIS Expands Law Enforcement Powers USCIS Expands Discretion in Naturalization Cases DOS Implements Stricter Rules for...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 3, 2025 | Global
WR Immigration’s August global immigration recap highlights key developments, including Saudi Arabia’s new work permit classification system, Vietnam’s streamlined process for hiring foreign talent, the UAE’s updated Golden Visa rules for Scientists and Specialists,...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 3, 2025 | Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State has announced that the EB-2 employment-based immigrant visa category is now “unavailable” and will remain so for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2025. Key Takeaways Adjustment filings still accepted: U.S....
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 | Sep 2, 2025 | Immigration Updates
USCIS has introduced a new payment option allowing applicants to pay filing fees directly from a U.S. bank account via secure ACH debit using Form G-1650. This option comes as part of the Biden Administration’s broader push to modernize federal payment systems and...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 29, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Effective August 27, 2025 USCIS has reinstated neighborhood and workplace investigations for certain naturalization applicants, a practice not used since the early 1990s. Officers may now visit applicants’ homes and offices, interview neighbors, colleagues, and...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 27, 2025 | 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 Proposal to End “Duration of Status” for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants Appeals Court Allows End of TPS for Honduras,...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 22, 2025 | Immigration Updates
TSA now allows travelers from participating states to use Digital IDs stored in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or a TSA-approved app at more than 250 U.S. airports. Participation is optional and requires employees to set up an eligible state-issued ID in...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 22, 2025 | Immigration Updates
The State Department confirmed that all U.S. visa holders are now subject to continuous vetting, meaning visas can be revoked at any time if new information suggests ineligibility, including overstays, criminal conduct, or security concerns. This review spans more...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 20, 2025 | 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. USCIS Expands Discretion in Immigration Filings Employment-Based Green Card Limits Expected to Be Reached by End of FY 2025...
by James Pinedo | Aug 18, 2025 | Immigration Updates
On August 15, 2025, USCIS issued new guidance that significantly broadens its discretion to deny naturalization applications. Officers are no longer limited to statutory bars such as criminal convictions or false testimony; they can now deny applications...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 13, 2025 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. DV-2025 Alert: UK & Dependent Areas Entrants Should Re-Check Status Proposed Rule: Increased Vetting for DV Program Applicants New Visa Bond Requirements for B-1/B-2 Travelers from...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 8, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Legal Memorandum: A ten-point legal memorandum explaining the impact of the new CSPA guidance on Indian EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 adjustment applicants whose dependent children may age out, even when the adjustment of status (AOS) is filed under Chart B. To: Immigration...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 8, 2025 | Immigration Updates
The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) helps certain children remain eligible for a Green Card past their 21st birthday, protecting them from “aging out” due to long processing delays. In February 2023, USCIS expanded this protection by allowing the Dates for Filing...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 8, 2025 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. TPS Termination Delayed for Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua Trump Indicates Ukrainians May Remain in U.S. for Now DOS Launches 12-Month Visa Bond Pilot for Certain B-1/B-2 Applicants ICE...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 5, 2025 | Investor Visas
Our latest Chatting with Charlie webinar, hosted by WR Immigration Partner Joey Barnett and featuring Charlie Oppenheim, former Chief of the Visa Control at the U.S. Department of State, offered deep insight into EB-5 visa trends, processing challenges, and the...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 1, 2025 | Global
WR Immigration’s July global immigration recap includes the latest developments on the UK’s biometric appointment availability, Portugal’s residence permit renewal portal, Argentina’s new entry requirements, and more. UK – New Eligibility...
by Frank Alvarado | Jul 31, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Administrative processing remains one of the most misunderstood causes of visa delays. The following five key points summarize recent guidance from AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee (Practice Pointer, July 30, 2025) and offer essential insight for clients and attorneys. 1....
by Frank Alvarado | Jul 30, 2025 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. DHS Releases FAQs on Parole and TPS Changes for SAVE Verification Interview Waivers Significantly Restricted Effective September 2, 2025 USCIS Issues Implementation Plan for Executive...
