The Gold Card (Trump EO Tracker)

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.

If you're applying for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States, you'll need to complete a medical examination as part of the process.

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.

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 (DOS) has announced that, effective January 21, 2026, it will indefinitely pause the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries while it conducts...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions, potentially transforming the economics of foreign worker sponsorship. This comprehensive analysis examines who would pay this substantial charge, when it would apply, its legal foundation compared to the previously challenged $100,000 rule, and the potential court challenges that could determine whether federal agencies can impose six-figure fees on employers to fund broader immigration system costs.

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.

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.

Following two federal court decisions, the U.S. Department of State has lifted categorical pauses on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries and diversity visa processing for DV-2026 selectees. While these policy changes allow cases to proceed through ordinary adjudication, they do not guarantee visa approval or admission, and timing remains critical as diversity visa eligibility expires September 30, 2026.

If your goal is to make it through the EB1A process you'll be happy to know that just 54% of petitions actually get rejected in 2026.

On July 22, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (covered separately here) in which the Commission advances its ongoing efforts to secure the U.S.

California's Legislature has unanimously passed SB 690, a landmark reform that could eliminate thousands of pending class action lawsuits based on website tracking technologies under the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The bill removes the private right of action for pen register claims arising from routine web analytics tools, potentially reshaping the data privacy litigation landscape while companion bills simultaneously expand substantive privacy obligations.

The Trump administration has issued an executive order requiring enhanced interagency coordination and stricter oversight of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. Federal agencies must now review employers' workforce practices, including past and planned layoffs of U.S. workers, while strengthening enforcement mechanisms to prevent program abuse.

The SEC's Division of Examinations has identified six critical areas where investment advisers commonly fall short in their annual compliance reviews, from timing failures to inadequate documentation and unimplemented corrective actions. Understanding these deficiencies is essential for advisers seeking to strengthen their compliance infrastructure and avoid examination risks.

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (PCSA), introduced in the Senate on June 2, 2026, by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and joined by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Chris Coons (D-DE), represents a comprehensive federal legislative effort to reshape the governance and economics of intercollegiate athletics...

Last week, the Trump administration and federal agencies announced several initiatives related to artificial intelligence (AI).

Unlocking Part 15 Spectrum for D2D: The FCC adopted an NPRM exploring rule changes to allow devices operating under Part 15 unlicensed rules (such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) to communicate directly with authorized satellites.

Directs federal agencies to revise recreational fisheries management policies, modernize recreational fishing data collection, streamline permitting and marine access regulations, establish artificial reef programs and prioritize recreational fishing interests in federal ocean and coastal resource management decisions.

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the Tax Court holding that a partner must lack managerial control over a partnership before it can qualify for the “limited partner exception” from self-employment taxes.

On September 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued two proposals that would reshape the federal proxy landscape. Release No. 34-106383 would rescind Rule 14a-8, eliminating the federal framework for including shareholder proposals in company proxy materials, and would amend Rule 14a-4(c) to expand companies’ discretionary proxy voting authority over proposals not included in their proxy materials.