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Department of State Expands Social Media Screening to Additional Visa Categories
Photo by EVG Kowalievska from Pexels The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently expanded its online presence review requirements to several additional nonimmigrant visa categories, increasing the number of applicants whose social media activity may be reviewed during the visa adjudication process. The update took effect on March 30, 2026, and applies to a broad […]
State Department Issues Worldwide Travel Caution Amid Conflict in the Middle East
Photo courtesy of Brett Coomer/AP On February 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution security alert following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran. The alert advises Americans worldwide—particularly those in the Middle East—to exercise increased vigilance and closely monitor security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Ongoing […]
Biden Brightens Immigration Outlook, H-1B Visa Details TBD
President Biden Brightens Immigration Outlook It feels like a cloud has been lifted from the immigrant community and everyone who serves it. Last November I mentioned that the Trump Administration enacted over 400 immigration policy changes during their tenure. The changes added burdens to visa petitions, delayed processing, and made life more challenging for everyone […]
How Biden Plans to Change Immigration
Biden plans to change immigration The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) of which I am a member recently posted the a flyer about how Biden plans to change immigration. Here are the highlights: DACA remains in place. (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Deportations were paused for 100 days starting January 22, 2021. Travel bans from […]
Travel Bans Not Lifted – Airport Screenings End
Travel Ban Remains in Place for certain countries. silhouette plane in the air The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have published an advanced copy of a Notification of Termination of Arrival Restrictions which will be published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2020. Effective September 14, 2020, at 12:01 am (ET), […]
Navigating the U.S. Immigration Labyrinth Right Now
Photo by Susan Yin on Unsplash Two summers ago, before my sons entered high school, we took a family trip to Italy. It seemed like the perfect time – my sons were old enough to appreciate the trip but not so busy they could not go. I could never have imagined then how grateful I’d […]
Charting the Course for H-1Bs and Other Visas Through COVID-19
U.S. Immigration laws and regulations have always required immigration attorneys to have a certain level of creativity to problem solve. Keeping current on regulation changes, combined with creativity, helped me navigate the paths to my clients’ goals even when they took unexpected turns. Over time, I got to know the terrain well and could […]
Visa Bonds for Certain B-1/B-2 Travelers: What Applicants Should Know
Photo by mingche lee from Pexels The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond program for certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants. Depending on an applicant’s country of nationality and individual circumstances, some travelers may now be required to post a financial bond before a visitor visa can be issued. While the bond requirement does not […]