General
Immigrant Visas Blocked by Nationality Were Unblocked as of August 21
A court vacated the 75-country immigrant visa suspension as of Aug. 21, 2026. Refusals under that policy reopen; 39 proc...
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Blog
Immigration guidance and a legal column archive dating back to 2004
General
If the Sponsor Has a Credit Freeze, the Green Card Review May Be Delayed
New Form I-864 (08/24/26) adds a credit check consent; a credit freeze can delay review. Old edition accepted through Se...
General
If You Were Out of Status for a Long Time, Leaving and Coming Back May No Longer Work
BIA, Aug. 13, 2026: leaving on advance parole is a departure that can trigger the 3- and 10-year bars. Who is affected, ...
General
Couples Waiting for a Green Card: A Short Trip Abroad Just Became Risky
For couples waiting on a marriage green card, travel on advance parole now risks a 3- or 10-year bar if unlawful presenc...
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A USCIS Online Account: Better to Create One Now
USCIS's online filing rule took effect Aug. 11, 2026. Nothing is mandatory yet, but the path is set. Why creating a USCI...
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If You Receive Government Assistance Now, Sort It Out Before You File. It Gets Risky From September 18
From Sept. 18, 2026 the public charge review changes. How a spouse's past benefits, a child's benefits, and the applican...
General
Starting September 15, Filing With the Old Edition Gets You Rejected Outright
On September 15 and 18, 2026, USCIS is switching three forms to new editions: Form I-765 (Application for Employment Aut...
General
More People With No Criminal Record Are Being Arrested
In July 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recorded 49,571 arrests, the highest monthly total since th...
General
Real Couples Are Now Asked More at the Marriage Interview
On August 12, 2026, federal prosecutors announced the indictment of 11 people accused of running an organized marriage f...