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Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee — What Employers Should Know
On June 8, 2026, a federal judge voided the Trump administration's $100,000 surcharge on new H-1B visas, ruling it an unauthorized tax. Here is what the decision means for employers — and why an appeal could still change things.
Greg V
12 hours ago2 min read
A Federal Court Just Lifted the USCIS Freeze. Here's What It Means for Immigrants From 39 Countries.
A federal judge in Providence vacated the Trump-Vance administration's late-2025 USCIS pause on benefits for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries. Here's what the ruling means and what to do next.
Greg V
4 days ago3 min read
EB-5 Grandfathering Sunset on September 30, 2026: What Investors Must Know Now
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act's grandfathering protection sunsets September 30, 2026. Pre-RIA petitioners, new investors, and regional centers all need a strategy for the next four months.
Greg V
May 252 min read
USCIS Issues Major Policy Update on Adjustment of Status: What Applicants Need to Know: Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, recasting adjustment of status under INA § 245 as “extraordinary relief” and instructing officers to apply heightened discretionary scrutiny. Here is what the new policy says, what it means for pending applicants, and why we believe it is legally vulnerable.
Greg V
May 233 min read
USCIS Issues New Policy Memo: Adjustment of Status Is a Privilege, Not a Right
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, reaffirming that adjustment of status is a matter of discretion and administrative grace — not an entitlement. Here is what it means for immigrants and their attorneys.
Greg V
May 223 min read
Operation PARRIS: USCIS Puts Adjustment, Naturalization, and Asylum Cases on Hold for Strengthened Vetting
A May 7, 2026 USCIS memo has put thousands of pending I-485, N-400, and I-589 cases into extended administrative hold while the agency runs new layers of security checks under "Operation PARRIS." The State Department has paired the change with sweeping social-media disclosure requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants. Here is what filers and employers should do right now.
Greg V
May 212 min read
June 2026 Visa Bulletin: India EB-1 and EB-2 Retrogress — What Employers and Applicants Need to Do Now
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin retrogresses India EB-1 and EB-2 priority dates, and USCIS will require the Final Action Dates chart for adjustment filings. The State Department warns more retrogressions are possible before September 30. Here's what employers and applicants need to do this week.
Greg V
May 203 min read
The "End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026": What Employers and Workers Should Know
A new bill led by Rep. Eli Crane would suspend new H-1B visas for three years, cap the program at 25,000, and replace the lottery with wage-based selection. Whether or not it passes, the H-1B program is changing — and employers and workers need to plan for a more restrictive future.
Greg V
May 183 min read
The End of "Duration of Status": What DHS's Final F/J/I Rule Means
DHS submitted the final rule eliminating duration of status for F-1, J-1, and I nonimmigrants to OMB on May 5, 2026. Admissions will be capped at four years, the F-1 grace period will be cut to 30 days, and extensions will require Form I-539 and biometrics. Here is what students, scholars, DSOs, and employers should do now.
Greg V
May 153 min read
EB-5 Update: USCIS Switches to Final Action Dates and China Inches Forward in the May 2026 Visa Bulletin
Two May 2026 Visa Bulletin changes matter for every EB-5 investor: USCIS is using the stricter Final Action Dates chart for I-485 filings, and China advances three weeks while India faces possible retrogression.
Greg V
May 153 min read
What the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 Means for Employers and Workers
A new federal bill proposes sweeping H-1B visa reforms — including a 3-year moratorium, a $100,000 employer fee, and the elimination of family dependent visas. Here is what employers and workers need to know.
Greg V
May 111 min read
DHS Announces Serious Consequences for Unpaid Asylum Fees — What You Need to Know Before May 29
DHS has announced an interim final rule taking effect May 29, 2026 that imposes serious consequences for unpaid asylum fees — including application rejection, loss of work authorization, and potential removal. Here is what asylum applicants, TPS holders, and others need to know now.
Greg V
May 83 min read
The Supreme Court Will Decide the Future of TPS — What Haitian and Syrian Holders Need to Know Now
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear cases that could allow the government to terminate Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Here's what TPS holders should do before a ruling comes down.
Greg V
May 62 min read
USCIS Pauses Green Card and Asylum Approvals for Enhanced FBI Security Checks
A new USCIS policy launched April 27 is pausing approvals for thousands of pending green card, asylum, and naturalization applications while re-screening them through an expanded FBI database — causing significant delays.
Greg V
May 31 min read
Nearly Half of ICE Arrests in Massachusetts Had No Criminal Record — What Boston Immigrants Should Know
A new report finds that 45% of ICE arrests in Massachusetts since 2025 involved people with no criminal conviction or pending charges — directly contradicting federal government claims.
Greg V
May 12 min read
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on TPS for 350,000 Haitians and Thousands of Syrians — A Decision Is Expected by June
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in two consolidated cases that will decide whether the Trump administration can strip Temporary Protected Status from hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians. Here's what you need to know.
Greg V
Apr 301 min read
Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Asylum Ban at the Southern Border
On April 24, the D.C. Circuit ruled that the executive order suspending asylum at the southern border is illegal. Here’s what that means right now if you or a family member has an asylum claim.
Greg V
Apr 251 min read
Three Massachusetts Immigration Judges Fired: What It Means If You Have a Case in Boston
Three judges of the Boston Immigration Court were fired this week, including Judges Roopal Patel and Erin Gover. Here’s what to expect if your case was on one of their dockets — and what to do now.
Greg V
Apr 251 min read
Path to U.S. Citizenship: A Naturalization Guide for 2026
Ready to become a U.S. citizen? Boston naturalization lawyers explain eligibility requirements, the N-400 application, interview preparation, and the citizenship test. Your complete guide to naturalization in Massachusetts.
Greg V
Apr 174 min read
Denaturalization in 2026: What Naturalized Citizens Need to Know
The Department of Justice and USCIS have dramatically expanded their denaturalization efforts in 2026, raising concerns among naturalized U.S. citizens across the country. What was once reserved for the most extreme cases of fraud has become a top enforcement priority under the current administration. Here is what naturalized citizens should understand about these changes. The Scale of the Expansion The Trump administration has directed USCIS to refer 100 to 200 denaturalizat
Greg V
Apr 172 min read
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