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A new bill has been introduced in Congress that could have significant implications for the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers. Republican Representative Greg Steube of Florida  proposed the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act , aiming to end the H-1B program entirely. Why the Bill Was Proposed According to Rep. Steube, the H-1B program has been misused by corporations, prioritizing foreign workers over America

Many visitors arrive in the United States on a B1/B2 visa for tourism, business meetings, or to see family—only to discover new academic or professional goals while they are here. If you’ve decided to pursue your education in the U.S., changing your status from B1/B2 to F-1 student may be possible—but it must be handled carefully. At Geofrey M. Law, we help clients transform opportunity into action—while protecting their legal status every step of the way. Understanding Where

The Trump administration is significantly expanding efforts to investigate and potentially revoke U.S. citizenship for naturalized Americans. USCIS is now dedicating staff nationwide to identify cases where citizenship might have been obtained through alleged fraud or misrepresentation. While denaturalization remains rare and legally challenging, the new initiative could create additional scrutiny for naturalized citizens and applicants. Key Points for Naturalized Citizens an

The U.S. Embassy in Kampala has implemented new visa policies affecting Ugandan applicants. These changes apply to certain nonimmigrant visas, introduce a visa bond requirement for some applicants, and include a temporary pause on immigrant visa issuance. Below is a clear breakdown of what has changed, who is affected, and what it actually means. What Changed 1. Shortened Visa Validity for Nonimmigrant Visas Nonimmigrant visas (e.g., B-1/B-2 tourist/business visas) issued to

Many professionals come to us believing that a National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval hinges on one thing: an advanced degree. That assumption is understandable — and wrong. In reality, the NIW is one of the most legally nuanced and strategy-driven immigration petitions  in U.S. immigration law. Success depends far less on the letters after your name and far more on how your work is framed, argued, and supported under a demanding legal standard . This is precisely why NIW pe

In a major legal development with significant consequences for Venezuelan immigrants and their families in the United States, a federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration acted illegally when it ended key legal protections that allowed hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to live and work in the U.S.  What Happened? The case centers on Temporary Protected Status (TPS)  — a humanitarian immigration program created by Congress that allows people from countrie

In a dramatic and unexpected development, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive ordering state agencies and public universities to stop filing new H‑1B visa petitions until at least May 31, 2027. That includes institutions of higher education and state government employers that normally rely on H‑1B visas to hire highly skilled professionals — from engineers to researchers to medical specialists. The move aligns with broader political momentum aimed at tightening

Many people believe that violence  under the U.S. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)  only means being hit or physically injured. That belief stops many survivors from seeking help — even when the law was designed to protect them. If you are experiencing abuse from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or adult child, you may qualify for VAWA even if no one has ever laid a hand on you . VAWA Recognizes Different Forms of Abuse Under U.S. immigration law, violenc

Dual citizenship in the U.S. has long been seen as a powerful advantage — offering freedom of movement, expanded opportunities, and a sense of security across borders. For many immigrants, it represents stability and hard-earned success. Recently, however, a proposed bill, the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 which seeks to establish “citizens of the United States... owe sole and exclusive allegiance to the United States” has drawn attention by raising the possibility of li

When most people think about obtaining lawful permanent residency (a Green Card) and eventually U.S. citizenship, they often think of family sponsorship, employment-based immigration, or asylum. While these are common pathways, they are not the only ones. One important and often misunderstood option is immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) . VAWA provides a pathway to lawful permanent residency—and ultimately U.S. citizenship—for certain individuals w

The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin , giving green card applicants an updated picture of how long they may need to wait. While this month does not bring dramatic changes across the board, several key categories did move forward, and one important program faced a setback. If you are tracking your priority date closely, even small changes can make a big difference. Understanding the Visa Bulletin Basics The Visa Bulletin uses two types of d

If you are a professional, researcher, physician, or entrepreneur seeking a U.S. green card without employer sponsorship, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) may be your best path forward. At the heart of today’s NIW adjudications is a pivotal immigration decision known as Matter of Dhanasar.   Understanding this case—and how USCIS applies it—can make the difference between an approval and a denial.   What Is the Dhanasar Case?   In Matter of Dhanasar (2016), the U.S. gov

Effective January 21, 2026 , the U.S. State Department has announced a suspension  of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries . This is a major development in U.S. immigration policy and affects many families and employment-based applicants around the world. What Exactly Is Happening? The State Department has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt decisions on immigrant visa applications (green cards issued abroad) for nationals of 75 countries start

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS have announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia will end on March 17, 2026. Somali nationals with TPS are required to depart the U.S. by this date unless they have another lawful immigration status. What is TPS? TPS is a humanitarian program allowing nationals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions to live and work temporarily in the U.S. Somalia was designa

On January 9, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a pivotal case: Bondi v. Lau (Docket No. 25‑429). This case could significantly impact lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who travel internationally and have pending or alleged criminal matters. Why This Case Matters: The question before the Court is whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can treat a green card holder as an applicant for admission  solely because of pending or alleged criminal

January 10, 2026 — A federal judge has issued a temporary court order preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program. What Does This Mean? FRP parole and related work authorization remain valid for now. DHS is temporarily barred from terminating FRP. This order is not permanent and may change. The court paused DHS’s plan to end the FRP program—previously scheduled for January 14, 2026—after raising concerns that

The U.S. Department of State has reiterated its position that the issuance of all Diversity Immigrant Visas (DV) has been paused. As of now, no new updates have been provided regarding DV-2027, leaving applicants and potential entrants in a state of uncertainty.   What This Means for DV Applicants No visa issuance: All diversity visa interviews and approvals are currently on hold. DV-2027 status: There is no current information about when visa processing for DV-2027 may resum

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has officially reminded citizenship applicants that an older form of background check — personal neighborhood investigations — is being reinstated as part of the naturalization process. This practice had largely been dormant for decades but has now resumed as USCIS emphasizes deeper vetting of applicants.    Key Points: • USCIS may conduct in-person visits to an applicant’s neighborhood, workplace, employer, and potentially

Recent developments in Congress have brought renewed attention—and uncertainty—to the H-1B visa program , one of the most widely used employment-based visas in the United States. A bill introduced by a member of Congress seeks to eliminate the H-1B program entirely, reigniting a long-standing debate about the role of foreign professionals in the U.S. workforce. While the proposal has generated headlines, it is important to understand what has actually happened, what it could

On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented inflation-based fee increases  for certain immigration applications. These changes were announced in a Federal Register notice on November 20, 2025, and are required under H.R. 1 . While the increases are relatively modest, they may still affect individuals and families who are planning to file immigration applications in the coming year. If you are preparing to file an application or renewal wi