On April 22, 2025, AP News published an article with remarks made by USCIS spokesman, Matthew Tragesser, in which he mentioned that the increased screening for foreign nationals via data collection was a result of the Trump Administration’s efforts to “promote national security and public safety.” On 5/1/2025, USCIS responded to American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) inquiry[Read More]
Legal Alerts
In AARP v. Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court issued order halting removal of immigrants under Alien Enemies Act
In A.A.R.P. et al. v. Trump et al. case, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued an order to Trump Administration to halt any removal of immigrants under Alien Enemies Act until further order of the Court. The order was issued shortly before 01:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 19th, 2025. The Supreme Court’s order is at[Read More]
Requirements for Reinstatement to Student Status
Washington, D.C. In accordance with immigration rule, 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16), USCIS may consider reinstating a student who makes a request for reinstatement on Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, accompanied by a properly completed Form I-20 or successor form indicating the DSO’s recommendation for reinstatement. USCIS may consider granting the request if the student:[Read More]
F-1 Student visa Revocation and SEVIS Termination and their legal implications
Washington, D.C. There has been news of recent surge in Student’s F-1 visa revocation and subsequesnt SEVIS termination of international students in the U.S. Generally a student F-1 visa revocation does not always follow a termination of SEVIS record but the current Trump administration has gone one step further and has also cancelled the SEVIS[Read More]
USCIS Policy Memorandum on Issuance of Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Cases Involving Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens
Washington, D.C. USCIS is updating its NTA policy to address national security, public safety, and the overall integrity of immigration system through enforcement of the immigration law against inadmissible and deportable aliens. Accordingly, USCIS will “no longer” exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement, which includes referring cases to ICE and issuance[Read More]
USCIS Reminds Undocumented Foreign Citizens to Register with USCIS
Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump had issued an executive order which directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that aliens (foreign citizens) comply with their duty to register with the government under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and ensure that failure to comply is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority. Once[Read More]
USCIS will accept H-1B Electronic Registrations on March 7th, 2025 for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and Some Useful Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ALERT: H-1B petition filing window under the first draw of the lottery is April 1st through June 30, 2025! Adhikari Law PLLC, Washington, D.C. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start accepting H-1B electronic regisrations for the H-1B lottery (a computer generated random selection) beginning from noon Eastern on March 7th and will continue[Read More]
USCIS announces New Rule on H-1B about Specialty Occupation definition, Cap-exempt H-1B, Enterpreneur H-1B, deference to prior petition, employer-employee relationship and other changes
Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency within U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has published a final rule governing H-1B with the following changes: Beneficiary owning H-1B Petitioner/Employer: DHS is codifying a petitioner’s ability to qualify as a U.S. employer even when the beneficiary possesses a controlling interest (more than[Read More]
Department of State Announces Creation of a Lightering Visa Classification C-4
Starting on September 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of State will begin implementing two new visa classifications for noncitizens seeking to transit the United States to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade and undertaking lightering activities for a period not to exceed 180 days. Lightering is the ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo. The new[Read More]
USCIS Publishes Filing Guide for Keeping Families Together
On Aug. 19, 2024 USCIS will begin accepting requests for, using a new electronic form, Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens. Form I-131F will not be available on uscis.gov until Aug. 19. USCIS is not accepting any other form for Keeping Families Together. Do not file a request for[Read More]