Klasko News - 02/06/23

A federal court’s injunction over the DHS fixed-period admission rule nationwide means the existing duration-of-status (D/S) framework for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors will remain in place while litigation continues.

The U.S. Department of State has temporarily paused immigrant visa interviews worldwide to conduct training programs for consular officers on public charge assessments. This development affects scheduling at U.S. embassies and consulates globally, though it does not mean all immigrant visa applications have been canceled or permanently suspended.

On October 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), published a proposed rule (91 FR 65119; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0529) that would remove...

On Sept. 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would eliminate the discretionary 60-day grace period currently available to many employment-based nonimmigrants following the termination of their employment.

A federal judge has invalidated the U.S. Department of State's nationality-based policy suspending immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries. The ruling in CLINIC v. Rubio requires the government to return to individualized adjudication under U.S. immigration law, though it does not eliminate existing travel restrictions or guarantee visa issuance.

The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, marking the start of fiscal year 2027 with significant changes to employment-based immigrant visa categories. How will the advancement of priority dates, particularly the substantial four-year leap for mainland China-born EB-5 investors in the Dates for Filing chart, impact eligible applicants seeking adjustment of status benefits?

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a controversial new rule requiring SEVP-certified schools to pay substantial fees—$70,000 for a student's first Optional Practical Training recommendation and $30,000 for each subsequent OPT application, including STEM extensions. With only a 30-day comment period and potential annual costs reaching up to $16.5 billion across nearly 2,500 affected institutions, the proposed regulation is expected to face significant legal challenges if finalized.

The Department of Homeland Security has not issued formal determinations for Temporary Protected Status designations for Ukraine and Sudan despite the October 19, 2026 expiration date, creating uncertainty for employers navigating Form I-9 compliance and employment authorization documentation. USCIS states that affected individuals retain TPS protections and work authorization, but has not updated operational guidance to explain how employers should document continued employment eligibility or handle

Following a federal court order in Medani v. Trump, the U.S. Department of State has resumed issuing Diversity Immigrant Visas after a nine-month pause that began in December 2025. DV-2026 selectees now face a critical deadline of September 30, 2026, to complete their visa processing or permanently lose their opportunity for permanent residence through the diversity visa lottery program.

On August 25, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would impose a new $103,265 H-1B fee on every H-1B cap-subject petition.

On August 25, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would impose a new $103,265 H-1B fee on every H-1B cap-subject petition.

On July 24, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied the government’s motion to stay the district court judgment that vacated the policy implementing the $100,000 H-1B fee. The administrative stay that reinstated the fee on June 12 is therefore lifted, and the vacatur stands while the government’s appeal proceeds.

A federal court in Massachusetts has postponed the Department of Homeland Security rule that would have ended 'duration of status' admissions for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, originally scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026. This preliminary injunction affects students, exchange visitors, foreign media representatives, and their sponsoring institutions, though the postponement is not a final invalidation of the rule and litigation continues.

On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it was extending the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)...

As instability spreads across the Middle East amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, including attacks on oil and other key infrastructure across the region, widespread travel and security disruptions...

Two executive orders signed by President Trump on August 6, 2026, significantly impact foreign nationals traveling to the United States and their sponsoring employers.

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period that currently allows workers in H-1B, L-1, O-1, E, and TN visa categories to remain in the United States after their employment ends. If finalized, this rule would require immediate departure or status change the day after employment termination, fundamentally altering how employers and foreign workers manage job transitions and creating significant compliance challenges for both parties.

The Trump Administration has announced that it will not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) at this time, triggering the agreement’s built-in six-year review process...

On June 8, 2026, in State of California et al. v. Markwayne Mullin et al., the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a decision, vacating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy implementing...

On January 8, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a key update to its Policy Manual, specifically Vol. 2, Part M, to clarify the evidentiary requirements...