The USCIS denial without RFE or NOID policy gives officers broader discretion to reject immigration benefit requests that lack required evidence. Effective Wednesday, August 5, 2026, it applies to pending and newly filed cases, while evidence requests remain available. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has restored broader officer discretion to deny immigration benefit requests without first issuing a Request for E

  An Indian woman’s two-month US Green Card video has sparked an online argument over marriage-based immigration and benefits available to military families. The criticism followed her claim that her application moved faster than expected after she married a US Army veteran. Indian Woman’s Two-Month US Green Card Video Goes Viral The controversy grew after social media acco

The US is considering a $100,000 OPT fee for international graduates, though no formal policy has been issued. The proposal comes as a separate DHS rule ending duration of status for many F, J and I visa holders takes effect on September 15, 2026, nationwide. The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee connected to Optional Practical Training, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Thursday, July 30

USCIS scrutiny of H-1B workers seeking B-2 status is creating new uncertainty for laid-off professionals. Attorneys report more evidence requests, questions about temporary intent and job hunting, and pressure to secure a transfer or leave. USCIS increases scrutiny of B-2 applications Laid-off H-1B workers generally have up to 60 days to secure new employment, change immigration status or leave

F-1 student travel after September 15, 2026, may lead to a fixed admission period at reentry. Students should check the new Form I-94, understand how travel affects transition protection, and review risks involving OPT, STEM OPT and pending extension applications. The Department of Homeland Security’s final fixed-stay rule will change what happens when some F-1 students return to the United States after international travel. Published on Friday, July 17, 2026, it

The OPT under new F-1 rule creates a temporary Form I-539 exemption for qualifying students who file Form I-765 by March 18, 2027. Other post-completion OPT and STEM OPT applicants may need separate employment authorization and extension-of-stay filings. The Department of Homeland Security’s fixed-stay rule changes how some F-1 students will request post-completion Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT. Published on Friday, July 17, 2026, it takes effect on Tue

The Trump student visa rule would replace duration of status with fixed admission periods of up to four years. F-1 and J-1 students may face new USCIS extension filings, shorter departure periods, travel effects and tighter limits on school or program changes. WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on Friday, July 17, 2026, replacing the “duration of status” system for F-1 students, J

Columbia’s student visa advisory recommends that international students return to New York before classes begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The guidance comes before a DHS rule establishing fixed admission periods for F and J visa holders takes effect. Columbia University has advised international students to return to New York before classes begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, ahead of a major change to U.S. admissi

The proposed green card bond has led many applicants to believe it is another government filing fee. However, immigration bonds and green card application fees serve different purposes. Understanding the distinction can help applicants avoid confusion as the proposal continues to receive attention. The Trump administration's reported proposal to require certain green card applicants to post bonds of up to $100,000 has created confusion among p

The proposed green card bond has created uncertainty among immigrants applying for permanent residency. Although no final policy has been announced, reports suggest certain applicants processing immigrant visas abroad could be affected if the proposal is implemented. The Trump administration's reported proposal to require certain green card applicants to post bonds of up to $100,000 has raised questions about who could actually be affected. Wh

The proposed $100,000 green card bond has created uncertainty among H-1B professionals seeking permanent residency. Here's what is currently known about who could be affected, the difference between Adjustment of Status and consular processing, and why the proposal has not yet changed existing immigration procedures. The Trump administration's reported proposal to require certain green card applicants to post bonds of up to $100,000 has raised questions among H-1B

Losing a bag while traveling can be stressful. But when the bag contains a passport, EAD card, driver’s license, visa documents, bank cards and other IDs, the situation can quickly become serious. For students, workers, visitors and immigrants in the United States, the first few hours are important. The affected person should create an official record, protect their identity, arrange safe domestic travel and begin the replacement process for

Texas is considering a Texas REAL ID rule change that could make it harder for some lawful temporary visa holders to obtain a driver’s license or state identification card. The proposal from the Texas Department of Public Safety would require a foreign passport submitted with a REAL ID application to contain a valid U.S. visa. Public comments are open through Sunday, July 26, 2026. How the Texas REAL ID Rule Change Would Work Current Texas ru

H4 EAD cases pending 300 to 500 days are prompting applicants and their families to seek firsthand accounts of what produced a meaningful response from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. People affected by long H-4 dependent status and employment authorization delays say they want practical information from applicants who faced similar waits and later received a case update, clearer explanation or approval. H4 EAD Cases Pending 300 to 500 Days Remain Unres

The Oregon denaturalization lawsuit seeks to revoke the U.S. citizenship of a 54-year-old resident accused of using multiple identities and concealing an earlier deportation order. Federal authorities in Portland said on Thursday, June 18, 2026, that they filed a civil complaint against Jaswinder Singh, also known as Balwinder Singh, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. The allegations have not been proven in court. Oregon dena

President Donald Trump renewed attention on immigration with a Truth Social post on Monday, June 15, 2026, as his administration pursued major changes affecting work visas and green card processing. Trump wrote, “If you import The Third World, you become The Third World,” before repeating his “Make America Great Again” slogan. The remarks came shortly before his arrival at the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. Trump immigration post comes a

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to revoke the citizenship of Neeraj Sharma, an Indian-born New Jersey businessman accused of concealing visa fraud before becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. The complaint against Sharma was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The Justice Department publicly announced the case as part of a broader denaturalization initiative on Monday, June 8, 2026. DOJ Denaturalizati

Adjustment of status is an important green card process for eligible applicants who are already living inside the United States. It allows certain applicants to apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country for consular processing abroad. The topic has gained attention after recent confusion over whether green card applicants must leave the US while their cases are reviewed. For many applicants, understanding adjustment of status, Form I-485, and travel rules is n

The Department of Homeland Security’s latest green card clarification has brought relief to many Indian H-1B workers, students, and families waiting for permanent residency in the United States. The clarification came after a USCIS announcement on Friday, May 22, 2026, created concern that many green card applicants may have to leave the United States and complete processing through US consulates abroad. DHS later clarified that most applicants will not automatically be required t

The 2026 USCIS green card policy update has created fresh concern among NRIs, H-1B workers, F-1 students and families in the US, especially those applying through the Adjustment of Status route. USCIS Tightens Green Card Review Process USCIS has issued a policy update that may make the green card process more closely reviewed for applicants already living in the United States. The update focuses on Adjustment of Status, the process that allows eligible imm