Key Summary:  U.S. CBP has authority to collect biometric data from non-U.S. citizens upon entry and departure. The biometric exit system uses facial recognition at departure and inspection points to verify identities. Non-U.S. citizens, including tourists, and temporary visa holders may be required to participate. If CBP systems flag potential issues, travelers can be pulled […]

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August 29, 2026

Key Summary: A new rule allows USCIS to refer affirmative asylum applications directly to Immigration Judges. Asylum interviews are no longer guaranteed to happen before a referral to immigration court. The rule also removes the requirement to include a credibility assessment in its referral letters.  Applicants must thoroughly prepare their initial applications and supporting documentation. […]

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August 28, 2026

A federal judge has struck down a U.S. government policy that restricted the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, finding that the policy exceeded the Secretary of State’s legal authority and was contrary to federal law. In a 61-page decision, U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas of the Southern District of New […]

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August 26, 2026

Key Summary: A new interim final rule allows USCIS to bypass non-adversarial interviews and refer affirmative asylum applicants directly to Immigration Court. Bypassing screening eliminates the early non-adversarial review stage traditionally used to evaluate valid humanitarian claims. Transferring all affirmative claims directly to the EOIR risks lengthening delays system-wide.  Reserving administrative resources for prioritized demographics […]

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July 29, 2026

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has provided hundreds of thousands of people with permission to live and work in the United States because conditions in their home countries made it unsafe to return. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has created significant uncertainty for many TPS recipients, particularly those from Haiti and several other countries. What […]

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July 27, 2026

Key Summary: Unlike independent judiciary, the EOID is vulnerable to administrative directives that align with executive agendas. To combat a backlog of over 3.2 million cases, the administration replaced more than 100 immigration judges with active-duty military lawyers serving as temporary judges. JAG lawyers undergo a brief program that critics argue cannot sufficiently prepare them […]

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July 17, 2026

Key Summary: The Supreme Court ruled the government can block asylum-seekers at the border before they step onto U.S. soil. Conservative majority held that the Refugee Act of 1980 only grants asylum to those who have physically crossed into U.S. territory. Justice Sotomayor argued that the ruling creates a loophole that subverts statutory intent and […]

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June 29, 2026

Quick Summary: What Is PERM Labor Certification? A Step-by-Step Guide PERM is the DOL process employers use to sponsor workers for green cards. The process involves prevailing wage determination, recruitment, and ETA Form 9089 filing. Employers must prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position. Processing times vary, and audits can significantly […]

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May 29, 2026

Quick Summary: Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 instructs officers to apply “heightened scrutiny” to in-country green card applications.  The memo does not change statutory law, but it shifts the burden of proof to applicants. Dual-intent visas lose the automatic favorable presumption. The government argues that consular processing abroad will relieve domestic USCIS backlogs. Critics warn of backlogged […]

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May 27, 2026

Quick Summary: Can You Reapply for Citizenship After Being Denied? Yes, you can reapply for citizenship after a denial in most circumstances. You may file a new N-400 application immediately unless eligibility issues remain unresolved. Administrative appeals using Form N-336 must be filed within 30 days of denial. Addressing the specific denial reason before reapplying […]

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May 22, 2026