On Dec. 31, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decisions to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, finding that the terminations violated the Administrative
Immigration Blog
Insight, News, and Strategy on Immigration Matters Around the World
The Immigration Blog published by Jackson Lewis P.C. focuses on legal developments and compliance issues related to immigration in the workplace. It covers topics such as employer obligations under immigration laws, visa and work authorization processes, government enforcement actions, and policy changes affecting immigrant workers. The blog addresses practical implications for employers, including responses to government notices, visa adjudication delays, and discrimination concerns related to national origin. It also discusses regulatory updates from agencies like USCIS, EEOC, and the Department of State, and provides guidance on managing risks associated with immigration benefits, employee documentation, and workplace investigations involving immigrant employees.
Latest from Immigration Blog - Page 5
State Department to Suspend Consular Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Starting 1.21.26
The Department of State is expected to pause consular immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026, according to multiple public reports. This development represents a significant expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts that include more…
$100K H-1B Fee Case Fast-Tracked in Federal Appeals Court
The U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed on Jan. 5, 2025, to fast-track the appeal of the recent federal court ruling upholding the Trump Administration’s imposition of a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa petitions.…
H‑1B, H‑4 Visa Appointments Rescheduling Begins Amid Expanded Social Media Vetting Policies
U.S. consulates abroad have recently begun postponing a wide range of H‑1B and H‑4 visa interviews, resulting in significant delays in visa processing. Consulates in India have been among the most affected, as India remains the largest source of H‑1B…
Federal Court Upholds Trump Administration $100,000 Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions
A federal judge has granted the Trump Administration’s motion for summary judgment and upheld the legality of the $100,000 fee requirement for certain H-1B visa petitions. Chamber of Commerce of the USA v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:25-cv-03675…
DHS Announces ‘Weighted Selection Process’ to Allocate H-1B Visas Effective Feb. 2026
Takeaways
- DHS announced in a final rule that it will apply a new H-1B selection process, replacing the random lottery, to allocate cap-subject H-1B visas beginning with FY 2027.
- Registrants submitted under higher wage levels will have a better chance
…
DHS Announces Phased End of TPS for Burma, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Beginning Early 2026
Employers Beware: Illinois Rolls Out Strict No-Match, Document Discrepancy Notice Response Rules
Takeaways
- Illinois employers may not rely solely on SSA “no-match,” IRS discrepancy notices, or similar third-party notifications to take disciplinary or termination action.
- Employers must meet strict notice, timing, and communication requirements, including providing employees an opportunity to respond and
…
USCIS Widens Freeze on Immigration Benefits for Nationals of 19 Countries: Employers Should Expect Delays Across Multiple Categories
Key Takeaways
- In addition to reviewing green cards for nationals of 19 designated countries, USCIS is now pausing a wide range of immigration benefits, including EADs, H-1Bs, I-140s and status extensions.
- USCIS has confirmed its Dec. 2 policy memo,
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New EEOC Guidance Aligns with DOL’s H-1B ‘Project Firewall,’ Stresses Foreign Worker Preferences Can Be a Form of ‘National Origin’ Discrimination
Related links
- EEOC Press Release: New and Updated Educational Materials on National Origin Discrimination (11.19.25)
- EEOC National Origin Discrimination Landing Page
- EEOC Technical Assistance Document: “Discrimination Against American Workers Is Against the Law”
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released…