IMMIGRATION ALERTS

Second federal court blocks Trump's $100,000 H-1B fee. California judge issues preliminary injunction, finding APA violations.

USCIS announces 3.36% inflation hike to H.R.1 immigration fees, effective for filings postmarked on or after 16 October 2026.

DV-2026 diversity visa deadline hits September 30, 2026. Up to 40,000 visas at risk as processing pause leaves families in limbo.

Supreme Court to decide fate of 400,000 Venezuelan TPS holders. Work permits expire October 2, 2026. Employer guidance inside.

October 2026 Visa Bulletin: China EB-3 advances 2+ years, India EB-2 reopens, worldwide EB-2 and EB-3 retrogress.

Trump extends the $100,000 H-1B fee to September 2027, but a court vacatur keeps it unenforceable for consular processing.

Trump signs Executive Order requiring H-1B adjudications to consider employer layoff activity and labor market data. DOL to review LCAs within 30 days.

US visa wait times September 2026: Hyderabad hits 12 months, Mumbai 11.5 months. Bogota improves to 7 months.

State Department expands online presence review to TN, TD and I visa applicants from October 1, 2026. Social media profiles must be public.

CDC extends Ebola entry ban through October 11, 2026, adding restrictions on US citizens with DRC, Uganda or South Sudan travel history.

Federal judge blocks DHS rule ending duration of status for F, J and I visa holders. Preliminary injunction issued before September 15 effective date.

DOL proposes major PERM overhaul targeting recruitment standards, layoff rules and non-discrimination compliance. OMB review underway.

DHS OPT fee proposal clears White House review. New charges on F-1 Optional Practical Training expected. Comment period to follow publication.

USCIS confirms Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries retain protection and work authorization pending formal announcement. EADs extended through September 9, 2026.

USCIS announces H-2B visa cap reached for first half of FY 2027. Final receipt date was September 4, 2026.

DHS proposes eliminating the 60-day grace period for H-1B, L-1, O-1 workers. Comment period opens September 11, 2026.

DOL PERM processing times improve to 336 days as of August 31, 2026. Analyst review now processing November 2025 filings.

US resumes immigrant visa processing for Hungary and Poland while global pause continues. White House directive, no official explanation. Full details inside.

The US State Department has temporarily paused immigrant visa interviews at embassies and consulates worldwide to conduct public charge training for consular officers. Applicants with scheduled interviews are receiving cancellation notices. Nonimmigrant visas are unaffected. No timeline for resumption has been announced.

Federal judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship executive order, ruling it "almost certainly unconstitutional." Preliminary injunction protects children born to non-citizen parents.