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WR Immigration News Digest

Aug 13, 2025 | Immigration Updates

For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here.

2025 Alert: UK & Dependent Areas Entrants Should Re-Check Status

On August 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that some DV-2025 entrants from the UK and its dependent areas may have received incorrect selection results. Affected individuals should immediately log in to Entrant Status Check with their original confirmation number to verify status.

Why this matters for mobility teams:

  • Deadline: DV-2025 eligibility ends September 30, 2025; visa numbers may run out sooner.
  • If selected: Submit the DS-260 promptly and prepare documents for the interview.

Impact: Without prompt verification and application, employees could lose a direct green card opportunity and be forced into more time-consuming and costly visa processes.

Proposed Rule: Increased Vetting for DV Program Applicants

On August 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of State proposed new requirements to strengthen integrity and combat fraud in the Diversity Visa (DV) Program. Under the rule, applicants would need to provide valid, unexpired passport information and upload a scan of the biographic and signature page with their electronic entry form, or indicate an exemption.

Other changes include replacing “gender” with “sex” and “age” with “date of birth.” Public comments are due by September 19, 2025.

Impact: If implemented, these changes could reduce fraudulent entries but may also limit eligibility for individuals without current passports, requiring earlier preparation and documentation support from employers.

New Visa Bond Requirements for B-1/B-2 Travelers from Malawi & Zambia

On August 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of State launched a 12-month visa bond pilot program for certain temporary visitors (B-1/B-2). Nationals of countries with high visa overstay rates or other risk factors may be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before visa issuance, as determined by a consular officer.

Initial Impact: Starting August 20, 2025, nationals of Malawi and Zambia applying for B-1/B-2 visas, regardless of where they apply—must post a bond if otherwise eligible. Bonds are paid via Pay.gov only after consular officer direction, and holders must enter/exit through BOS, JFK, or IAD.

Impact: This requirement could delay travel timelines, increase costs, and complicate short-term business travel for impacted employees or business partners, requiring earlier planning and coordination with consular posts.

Routine Visa Services Suspended at U.S. Embassy Harare

Effective August 7, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe has paused all routine visa services, including immigrant and most nonimmigrant visas (tourist, business, student, and exchange categories). The pause is part of a worldwide review of visa screening and vetting procedures.

Limited exceptions: Diplomatic and official visas (A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-4, C-2, C-3) will continue to be processed.

Impact: This suspension could cause significant travel and assignment delays for employees or candidates in Zimbabwe, requiring contingency planning or processing through alternate consular posts.

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Visa Eligibility for Trans Women Athletes

Effective August 4, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance interpreting Executive Order 14201, which restricts participation of trans women in women’s sports as it applies to certain visa categories.

The guidance affects O-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-1A and EB-2 (extraordinary/exceptional ability), and national interest waiver (NIW) classifications. USCIS states that participation in women’s sports by trans women athletes will be considered a negative factor in determining extraordinary or exceptional ability and that such cases will generally not be deemed to substantially benefit the United States or meet national interest waiver standards.

Impact: This policy could bar or limit U.S. entry for affected athletes under extraordinary or exceptional ability categories, potentially affecting sponsorships, events, and talent planning for organizations in sports and entertainment sectors.

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Rapid-Fire Wednesdays Q&A | Immigration Updates: CHNV Parole, TPS & F-1 Visa Revocations | 4/9/2025

The transcript version of our weekly Q&A livestream for corporate immigration professionals. Join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter for more immigration updates. By Kimberley (Best) Robidoux & Miki Kawashima Matrician 🔥 Question: What is the current status of the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) Parole Programs? Response: USCIS recently announced that the CHNV Parole Programs will be revoked as of April 24, 2025. However, there’s uncertainty surrounding employment authorization for impacted individuals. Employment authorization might be terminated when parole ends or when individuals are notified directly of its termination. Some individuals have already received such notices via their myUSCIS accounts, stating that parole will end in 15 days unless contested. This change raises concerns for employers trying to determine which employees—especially those with C11 category work authorization—may be affected. Strategies for handling this situation should be customized and discussed with counsel. A lawsuit challenging the termination is underway, and more information is expected soon. 🔥 Question: What’s the update on Venezuela Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? Response: A court postponed the termination of Venezuela TPS, originally scheduled by DHS, as of April 2. This reverts TPS to the status outlined in the January 17, 2025 redesignation and extension. For TPS […]

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Immigration Update

In this edition, read about the updated guidance for the I-9 process, an announcement on national interest exception extensions, Yemen’s redesignation for TPS, and more. USCIS Announces Updated Receipt Guidance for I-9 Process The I-9 form has been with us for almost 35 years, and USCIS still finds things to tweak.  The agency recently announced updated guidance on receipts for the I-9 employment authorization verification process: When employees present a receipt showing that they applied to replace a List A, B, or C document that was lost, stolen, or damaged, they should show their employer the replacement document for which the receipt was given. However, USCIS acknowledged that this is not always possible due to document delays, changes in status, or other factors. If the employee does not present the original document for which the previously provided receipt was issued but presents, within the 90-day period, another acceptable document (or documents) to demonstrate his or her identity and/or employment authorization, employers may now accept such documentation. In cases where an employee presents a document (or documents) other than the actual replacement document, the employer should complete a new Section 2 and attach it to the original Form I-9, USCIS said. […]

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