Articles Posted in Top Immigration Stories

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Major changes are coming to the marriage-based green card process in 2026, including stricter vetting, heightened enforcement, expanded evidence requirements, and increased detention of applicants flagged for further review at interviews.

To find out more, please keep on watching.

What to Expect: Shift Toward Heightened Enforcement

In 2025, internal policy shifts at USCIS stopped the issuance of Requests for Evidence, required medical exams to be filed with adjustment applications in a single package, and, most notably, created an unprecedented rise in denials and detentions at green card interviews.

Detentions at Green Card Interviews

In recent months, things took a turn for the worst. USCIS officers have been increasingly working alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and flag green card applicants they believe are potentially ineligible for benefits. Those flagged for additional review have faced immediate detention at their green card interviews.

Although the law allows visa overstays to be forgiven for those married to U.S. citizens, USCIS officers have been reporting visa overstays to ICE during green card interviews, resulting in their immediate detention. This has occurred in recent weeks in San Diego to a Navy spouse, a breastfeeding mother, and even an elderly man, signaling that enforcement is being taken to an unprecedented level.

Under Trump, internal ICE policies have included numerical targets for deportations, effectively creating quotas for enforcement officers. These targets set specific numbers of removals to be achieved within given timeframes, which places added pressure on USCIS officers to flag these individuals for removal.

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Navigating the U.S. immigration system is difficult enough — but what many people don’t realize is that even legal immigrants can face deportation for mistakes they never knew were serious.

From minor paperwork oversights to everyday misunderstandings of immigration rules, these pitfalls can put lawful status at risk without warning.

In this guide, we break down the 7 most common mistakes that get even legal immigrants deported — and number 4 surprised even us. Understanding these risks is essential to protecting your future in the United States.

Mistake #1 Crimes of Moral Turpitude

Certain offenses—known as crimes involving moral turpitude—carry especially harsh consequences, including deportation, even for green card holders.

These crimes typically involve conduct considered dishonest, deceptive, or morally unacceptable, such as fraud, theft, domestic violence, or certain assault-related offenses.

What complicates things further is that even a single conviction could trigger removal proceedings for permanent residents and nonimmigrant visa holders.

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Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.

In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of December.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of December, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of December?

Employment-Based Categories

Final Action Advancements

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • India will advance by one month to March 15, 2022
  • China will advance by one month to January 22, 2023
  • All other countries remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • India will advance by six weeks to May 15, 2013
  • China will advance by two months to June 1, 2021
  • All other countries will advance by 2 months to February 1, 2024

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • India will advance by one month to September 22, 2013
  • China will advance by one month to April 1, 2021
  • All other countries will advance by two weeks to April 15, 2023

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The U.S. visa landscape is undergoing major changes in 2025, with embassy operations varying widely across the globe. New federal policies have made the visa process more challenging. From enhanced social media scrutiny to removing the option for third-country nationals to apply for visas outside their country of nationality or residence—things have been constantly changing at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

In this video, you’ll learn about:

  • New Limits on Third-Country National Visa Applications
  • Enhanced Social Media Vetting Policies
  • Visa Limitations for Certain Countries under Travel Ban
  • Health Conditions, Including Obesity, May Affect Visa Approval
  • Operational Status at Consulates and Embassies Worldwide: Is your Embassy fully open?

New Limits on Third-Country National Visa Applications

Immigrant Visa Applicants Must Apply in Country of Nationality or Residence

Effective November 1, 2025, the State Department will require all immigrant visa applicants—including Diversity Visa applicants—to interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their country of residence or nationality. Exceptions will be rare and limited to urgent humanitarian, medical, or foreign-policy–driven cases.

Same Policy Extends to Nonimmigrants

The State Department announced a similar policy for nonimmigrant visa applicants. Effective September 2025, applicants must apply in their country of residence or nationality, meaning they can no longer choose a more convenient embassy—such as those in Mexico or Canada—unless they live there or hold that nationality. Limited exceptions apply for certain categories, including A and G visas, and for urgent humanitarian or medical emergencies.

For applicants from countries with limited or no U.S. consular presence—such as Afghanistan, Belarus, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe—designated embassies will continue to serve as regional processing hubs.

Tip: Booking a visa interview outside your country of nationality or residence may lead to rejection and could negatively affect future applications. ESTAs can be cancelled for those with visa denials on record. Avoid this by applying at the proper Consulate in your country of nationality or residence.

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Navigating the H-1B visa process can feel like a maze, especially if you’re aiming to take the unconventional route of self-sponsorship. In 2025, more skilled professionals and entrepreneurs are exploring ways to secure an H-1B visa without relying on a traditional employer.

This guide breaks down the essential steps, requirements, and practical strategies for individuals looking to sponsor themselves, empowering you to take control of your U.S. work authorization journey.

What you’ll learn in this video:

  • What is the H-1B visa
  • How to sponsor yourself for the H-1B Visa
  • Requirements for self-sponsorship
  • Jobs that qualify for self-sponsorship

Overview of the H-1B visa

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa that allows foreign workers to live and work in the United States in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is widely used by professionals in fields like technology, engineering, healthcare, and academia.

Key Features

  • Employer-Sponsored: A U.S. employer must petition on your behalf.
  • Specialty Occupation Requirement: The job must require at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
  • Cap-Subject: Most H-1B visas fall under an annual cap (currently 85,000 per fiscal year, with 20,000 reserved for U.S. advanced degree holders), though certain employers like universities are cap-exempt.
  • Annual H-1B Lottery: Because the number of petitions often exceeds the cap of 85,000 visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree holders), USCIS conducts a random lottery in March to select petitions for processing. This means that even qualified applicants may not be selected, making the H-1B highly competitive.
  • Dual Intent: H-1B visa holders can apply for a green card while on the visa, making it “dual intent” compatible.

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If you’re a U.S. Green Card holder, you might think your permanent residency means smooth sailing through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after returning from temporary foreign travel. But 2025 has brought some surprising developments that remind every lawful permanent resident (LPR) to be extra cautious. These changes might sound a little crazy—but ignoring them could cause big problems at the port of entry.

New CBP Policy—Mandatory Data Collection Practice

Starting December 26, 2025, CBP will roll out a new policy mandating the collection of biometric data from green card holders and noncitizens upon their entry to and departure from the United States.

This new policy requires all noncitizens, including green card holders, to have their photograph taken and potentially provide additional biometrics (such as fingerprints, iris scans, or voice prints) when entering or exiting the U.S. via land, sea or airports.

The regulation is intended to strengthen border security, reduce travel document fraud and ensure more accurate records of departures and arrivals; however, it also raises significant privacy considerations as agencies will collect, store, and process biometric data from large numbers of individuals.

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Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin.

In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of November.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of November, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of November?

Employment-Based Categories

There are no changes to the Dates for Filing and Final Action charts for the employment-based categories when compared to the October Visa Bulletin.

Family-Sponsored Categories

Final Action Advancements

  • F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by 9 days to December 1, 2016
  • F3 Mexico will advance by 16 days to May 1, 2001

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Launching or scaling a startup in the U.S. can be an exciting journey—but for many international founders, securing permanent residency is a critical step toward building a long-term future.

In 2025, entrepreneurs have several viable Green Card options designed to support innovation, attract global talent, and strengthen the startup ecosystem.

Whether you’re a founder, key employee, or investor, understanding these pathways can help you make informed immigration decisions that align with your business goals.

Here’s a clear breakdown of four Green Card options for startups in 2025—and how each can open the door to lasting opportunities in the U.S.

Option 1: EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver is one of the most popular Green Card pathways for startup founders and entrepreneurs.

Unlike many other employment-based visas, the NIW allows applicants to bypass the labor certification process and self-petition—meaning you don’t need a U.S. employer to sponsor you.

Instead, you must demonstrate that your work has substantial merit and national importance, that you’re well-positioned to advance your proposed endeavor, and that waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the U.S.

For startup founders, this often means showing how your company contributes to areas like technological innovation, economic growth, or job creation. Strong evidence—such as funding, traction, patents, or industry recognition—can strengthen your case.

In 2025, the NIW continues to be a flexible and founder-friendly route to permanent residency, making it an excellent option for entrepreneurs driving impactful ventures.

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In this video we discuss five emerging trends in 2025 that are likely to affect U.S. green card holders — they reflect changes and risks that are gaining traction.

If you’re a green card holder—or hoping to become one—you need to know that getting arrested for driving under the influence, accumulating speeding tickets, not paying taxes, or even prolonged absences from the United States can have serious consequences for your status.

What to Avoid

To stay off the radar of immigration enforcement—especially under stricter policies—it’s crucial to avoid any legal troubles that could flag your record. This means steering clear of DUIs, repeated traffic violations like speeding tickets, and making sure you’re fully compliant with tax filings. Also, be cautious with international travel. Extended or frequent trips abroad without proper documentation can raise red flags.

Staying law-abiding, keeping your paperwork in order, and consulting an immigration lawyer if issues arise are the best ways to minimize risk and protect your status.

Here’s what you need to know.

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On September 19th President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Gold Card (EO 14351)—a new visa program allowing foreign nationals who make a $1 million nonrefundable gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce—or $2 million if made by a corporation or other entity on their behalf—to qualify for expedited immigrant visa processing.

These gifts are treated as evidence of “exceptional business ability” or “national benefit” when applying under employment-based immigrant visa categories, such as EB-1 or EB-2 (including national interest waivers). Federal agencies have 90 days to implement the program, including setting up application procedures, fees, and adjustment-of-status mechanisms.

Looking ahead, the Trump administration is reportedly considering the rollout of a “Platinum Card” program. This initiative would allow individuals to contribute $5 million in exchange for the ability to live in the United States for up to 270 days per year, without being taxed on their foreign income. However, no official details have been released at this time.

Is the Gold Card Set to Replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?

The big question many are asking is whether the Gold Card will ultimately replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

According to the latest announcement, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program will continue operating separately from the Gold Card.

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