Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim final rule that directly impacts churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith-based organizations employing foreign religious workers in R-1 status.

The EB-1A extraordinary ability classification has long stood as one of the most selective and prestigious pathways in employment-based immigration.

More than 7.7 million people, including 878,500 in FY 2023, have naturalized and become U.S. citizens over the last decade, according to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

When religious organizations consider sponsoring a foreign national for R-1 status, they may initially think of pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and other members of the clergy. However, the R-1 religious worker category is not limited to ministers. Certain other positions that perform important religious functions may also qualify for R-1 status, including some roles involving education, worship services, outreach and media.

A new decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has significantly changed the potential consequences of international travel for certain foreign nationals who have accrued unlawful presence in the United States. In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, decided Aug. 13, 2026, the BIA held that leaving the United States pursuant to a grant of advance parole constitutes a “departure” for purposes of the unlawful presence bar under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The Department of Homeland Security’s new rule eliminating “duration of status” for F, J and I nonimmigrants will have significant implications for healthcare organizations that sponsor and train international physicians.

Last year, the Biden administration introduced new guidance related to National Interest Waivers (NIW) which our firm has already seen have a significant positive impact for eligible foreign nationals.

The results of the 2024 election could have a long-lasting impact on the United States immigration system.

The second Trump administration took office in late January 2025 and almost immediately started overhauling United States' immigration policies.

For employers with established human resources infrastructure and mature systems, Form I-9 compliance has traditionally been regarded as a controlled and well-understood function. Internal protocols, standardized onboarding procedures, and, in many cases, electronic I-9 systems have provided a framework through which organizations have sought to ensure adherence to federal requirements.

The healthcare industry in the United States is in significant need of professional staff.

Under the current administration, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), in cooperation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), has expanded its scrutiny of employers that sponsor foreign nationals...

Churches and religious institutions can use certain visa options to sponsor foreign national workers, ensuring that they can fill roles such as ministers, missionaries, religious instructors and more.

President Joe Biden issued policy guidance in late October 2023 entitled Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.

The Trump administration is reportedly working on an executive order that could alter the interpretation of birthright citizenship in the United States, and he said during an interview in early December...

The U.S. healthcare system continues to experience severe workforce shortages, particularly in underserved areas and rural communities.

One of the most common questions employers and foreign nationals ask is, “how long will it take to get a green card?” In true attorney fashion, the answer is: “it depends.” This simple question is frustratingly complex because there is no universal timeline or one-size-fits-all process. Some employment-based green card cases can move from start to finish in a few years, while others may take significantly longer depending on the applicant’s green card category, country of birth and immigration status.

Government worksite visits and audits related to immigration compliance increased significantly in the first Trump administration, and they are expected to rise again during his second term in the White House.

The Department of State (DOS) in recent months has stated that there is an increased demand for immigrant visas (green cards) across all employment-based preference categories.

For many churches and religious organizations, the path to permanent residency for a minister or religious worker appears obvious: pursue a green card through the EB-4 “special immigrant religious worker” category.