汤头条

USCIS recently reinforced its authority to deny immigration benefit requests without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) when required initial evidence is missing. This is particularly relevant under the new D/S rule, as students and scholars will rely more heavily on USCIS to adjudicate I-539 extension-of-stay applications, making complete… Read More

On August 20, DHS submitted a proposed rule titled Optional Practical Training Fees to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Details have not yet been released, although media reports suggest the proposal could include a significant new fee for F-1 students applying for OPT. No changes… Read More

The Department of State announced that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas, primarily related to law enforcement encounters, visa violations, fraud, and national security concerns. ISSS is not aware of any 汤头条 students or scholars affected by this announcement, but we continue to monitor visa-related developments and advise… Read More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy manual guidance outlining how the agency will apply the new public charge standard once it takes effect on September 18, 2026. The guidance follows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security鈥檚 (DHS) July 2026 final rule rescinding the Biden-administration鈥檚 2022 public… Read More

On August 6, 2026, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship under certain circumstances and ending 鈥渂irth tourism鈥� by imposing new vetting requirements on nonimmigrant travelers seeking entry to the United States. The orders build on the administration鈥檚 prior efforts to limit birthright citizenship. Read… Read More

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security鈥檚 (DHS) proposed rule聽to eliminate the sixty-day grace period for certain nonimmigrants is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Read more here. Read More

On August 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule聽to establish a $103,265 fee for all cap-subject H-1B petitions, including bachelor鈥檚 cap and advanced-degree quota cases. The fee would be due upon filing a cap-subject H-1B petition in calendar year 2027, in addition to… Read More

On June 30, the Supreme Court struck down Executive Order 14160, reaffirming that children born in the United States generally acquire U.S. citizenship at birth regardless of their parents’ immigration status. This means children born in the U.S. to international students and scholars will continue to be U.S. citizens at… Read More

On July 24, a federal appeals court allowed a lower court decision blocking the $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions requiring consular processing abroad to remain in effect while the government’s appeal proceeds. The fee is not currently enforceable, although the litigation is ongoing and the policy could change. Read More

Effective August 1, the U.S. Department of State shifted routine visa processing from 26 U.S. embassies and consulates across Africa to designated regional visa hubs. Applicants from affected countries must now travel to another country for routine visa appointments, which may increase costs and processing times. Departments should be aware… Read More