POLICY & ANALYSIS

Report compilations

Application guides, policy context and the details behind immigration decisions.

60 articlesNewest first
General policy

Minnesota Prosecutors File Felony Charges Against Conservative Activists O'Keefe and Higby Over Alleged Voter Impersonation at Polling Places

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced felony charges of illegal voting and identity theft against conservative activist James O'Keefe and influencer Cam Higby, alleging they entered polling places under the names of registered voters during Minnesota's August primary. The two used the state's "vouching" mechanism and filmed in disguise; the office of Secretary of State Steve Simon referred their conduct to prosecutors.

Report3 min read
Green cards & adjustment

Green Card Holder Dies in ICE Custody in Texas; Family Questions Medical Care

The Texas Tribune reports that 56-year-old Mexican national and U.S. lawful permanent resident Andrade-Covarrubias died in a Texas immigration detention facility. ICE says he was detained and faced removal proceedings for allegedly concealing a 2004 theft arrest record and fraudulently obtaining lawful status; his daughter says he disclosed the criminal record when applying. The report also mentions similar deaths in Texas this year and a Supreme Court ruling on screening green card holders at ports of entry.

Report4 min read
Employment & work visas

DHS Proposes to Rescind 'Deference to Prior Approvals' Rule for H-1B, L-1 and Other I-129 Extension Petitions

On October 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a proposed rule that would rescind the regulatory provision requiring USCIS to defer to prior eligibility determinations in I-129 petitions involving the same underlying facts, with the public comment period running through November 13, 2026. The article reviews the rule's history, the proposed core changes, DHS's stated rationale, and the impact on employers and foreign workers, and presents the original author's suggested response measures.

Report5 min read
Citizenship & naturalization

Court Issues Final Ruling Permanently Blocking USCIS Ban on Nonprofit Voter Registration Assistance at Naturalization Ceremonies

On October 15, 2026, a court issued a final ruling permanently blocking a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rule that barred the League of Women Voters and other nongovernmental organizations from providing voter registration education and assistance at administrative naturalization ceremonies. The court reaffirmed its August 3 preliminary injunction finding that the rule violated the Administrative Procedure Act and infringed the League's First Amendment rights.

Report2 min read
Work authorization & students

USCIS Finalizes End of 540-Day Automatic EAD Extension; Renewal Applicants on or After Oct. 30, 2025 May Face Work Stoppage

USCIS has finalized a rule ending the up-to-540-day automatic extension of employment authorization documents for certain immigrants who file renewal applications on or after Oct. 30, 2025. Work authorization generally ends when the current EAD expires, and workers must wait for renewal approval to resume work; employers and workers should assess stoppage risks and alternative work authorization options.

Report2 min read
Employment & work visas

DHS Proposes Eliminating 60-Day Grace Period for H-1B and Other Work Visa Holders After Job Loss

This article describes a proposed rule that is still under review and not yet in effect (RIN 1615-AD22), which could eliminate the 60-day grace period after job loss for holders of nonimmigrant visas such as H-1B and L-1. It explains the scope of the current grace period, the discretion DHS already has, the upcoming Federal Register publication and public comment process for the proposal, and related Trump administration developments on H-1B fees and vetting/background checks.

Report2 min read
Fees, forms & filing

USCIS Restores Discretion to Deny Incomplete Applications Without First Issuing RFE or NOID

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says applicants must establish eligibility and submit all required initial evidence at filing; officers may otherwise deny the application at their discretion without first issuing an RFE or NOID. The policy replaces the Biden-era approach and applies to applications filed on or after August 5, 2026, as well as those still pending.

Report2 min read
Citizenship & naturalization

Federal Judge Pauses USCIS Ban on Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies, Restoring Nonprofit Assistance for New Citizens

According to a report dated August 4, 2026, U.S. District Judge Abelson temporarily halted a USCIS policy that had been set to take effect in August 2025 and that would have allowed only state and local election officials to provide voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies. The ruling restores the 2017 version of the policy manual, allowing eligible nonpartisan nonprofit organizations to assist with registration when election officials are absent. The judge found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claims of discriminatory intent, under the First Amendment, and under the Administrative Procedure Act, though the ruling is not a final judgment.

Report3 min read
Work authorization & students

First Circuit Denies Government Motion, $100,000 H-1B Fee Paused

On July 24, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied the government's motion to keep the $100,000 H-1B application fee in effect while the appeal proceeds; the fee is therefore not currently in force. The article sets out the presidential proclamation on which the fee rests and the scope of its application, reviews the progress of three related lawsuits, recounts how the district court and the appellate court reached their rulings, and discusses possible next steps, including that the fee may expire automatically on September 21, 2026. It also notes that USCIS has said it will comply with the ruling suspending the fee, while the Department of Homeland Security still plans to collect the fee at a later date.

Report3 min read
Green cards & adjustment

U.S. State Department Weighs $100,000 Bond for Green Card Applicants

A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the department, working with Homeland Security, is evaluating a bond of up to $100,000 for green card applicants deemed at risk of becoming a public charge, citing longstanding authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act; the amount would reportedly be refundable. The report compares current I-485 and DS-260 fees, notes that a similar $100,000 H-1B charge was struck down by a federal judge, and cites a $15,000 bond already required for certain African countries.

Report3 min read
Green cards & adjustment

Trump Administration Revives 'Public Charge' Rule: Use of Some Public Benefits May Affect Green Card Applications

According to an Associated Press report, the Trump administration has revived the "public charge" rule: issued on July 20 and taking effect on September 18, it requires green card applicants to show they will not become a burden on the state. The new rule broadens the grounds for disqualification but does not list specific benefit programs, leaving determinations to officials' case-by-case discretion. The article also describes the background of the rule, first implemented in 2020 and later rescinded during the Biden era, and cites the differing positions of supporters and immigrant advocates as well as estimates from related research.

Report4 min read
Work authorization & students

Trump Administration Ends 'Duration of Status,' Setting Four-Year Limit for International Students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule ending the 'duration of status' policy in place since 1979, capping F-1 and J-1 visa holders' stay at four years and restricting school transfers and major changes after entry. The rule is expected to take effect Sept. 15. International education leaders criticized it as misguided and likely to worsen backlogs and uncertainty, while some Republican lawmakers praised it.

Report6 min read

Free assessment

Choose an assessment method

Based on your experience and goals, learn how to prepare for the next step.

Available now

Human assessment

One-on-one with an immigration planner

Based on your personal experience, application goals, and existing materials, we will outline your application direction and preparation priorities.

Coming soon

ImmiClaw

AI smart assessment

The AI assessment service is in preparation. Once available, you can start here. For now, you can communicate with a planner.

Your immigration plan starts with a free assessment.