Immigration Fleet

Premium Processing in H-1B Applications

The Role of Premium Processing in H-1B Applications: Benefits and Limitations

Introduction The H-1B visa program serves as a pivotal mechanism for permitting foreign professionals to engage in specialty occupations within the United States. Given the considerable demand and annual statutory cap on H-1B visas, petition adjudication can be protracted. To address this, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers Premium Processing Service, a voluntary expedited […]

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Legal Pathways Following H-1B Petition Denial: Change of Status and Motions Explained

Legal Pathways Following H-1B Petition Denial: Change of Status and Motions Explained

The H‑1B visa is a critical work authorization pathway for many skilled foreign workers in the United States. However, an H‑1B petition denial can cause significant disruption, leaving beneficiaries and employers to navigate complex options to maintain lawful status and employment eligibility. Understanding post-denial remedies—including change of status applications, motions to reopen or reconsider, and

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H‑1B to Green Card

H‑1B to Green Card: Current Backlogs and Waiting Times by Country of Origin

Introduction For foreign nationals on H‑1B visas pursuing U.S. permanent residency, the transition to a green card has become increasingly complex and prolonged. The process—once viewed as a linear progression—is now defined by lengthy wait times, per-country quotas, and limited visa availability. These constraints have created severe bottlenecks, especially for highly skilled applicants from India

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NTAs and the Legal Immigrant Paradox: Protected on Paper, Vulnerable in Practice

NTAs and the Legal Immigrant Paradox: Protected on Paper, Vulnerable in Practice

Introduction Legal immigration in the United States is often portrayed as a secure pathway to stability, employment, and eventual citizenship. Yet, in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged: immigrants who have complied with all legal requirements—including valid visas, green cards, and pending benefit applications—are being swept into deportation proceedings. The mechanism behind this? A

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International Travel Considerations During the F-1 to H-1B Transition

International Travel Considerations During the F-1 to H-1B Transition

As the new fiscal year approaches, many individuals in F-1 status—particularly those working under Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT—are preparing for the transition to H-1B status. This period often coincides with international travel plans to visit family or attend personal matters abroad. However, international travel during this time requires careful planning, as it

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Navigating Immigration Alternatives After H-1B Cap Closure and Employment Termination

Navigating Immigration Alternatives After H-1B Cap Closure and Employment Termination

As of July 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially reached the congressionally mandated cap for H-1B visas for Fiscal Year 2026. This includes 65,000 regular H-1B visas and an additional 20,000 visas under the U.S. advanced degree exemption, commonly known as the “master’s cap.” While new cap-subject H-1B petitions are no longer

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Understanding the 60-Day Grace Period: Are H-1B Visa Holders at Risk of Deportation

Understanding the 60-Day Grace Period: Are H-1B Visa Holders at Risk of Deportation

Introduction Recent updates from the legal community and emerging client cases have sparked widespread concern among H-1B visa holders across the United States. Multiple reports suggest that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun initiating removal proceedings—even for individuals who remain within their legally allowable 60-day grace period following job termination. These developments have

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Labor Shortages Intensify as Employment-Based Immigration Declines

Labor Shortages Intensify as Employment-Based Immigration Declines

The United States is experiencing a growing labor shortage, driven in part by gaps in employment-based immigration. According to recent findings from the U.S. Department of Labor, there is a clear connection between the decreasing number of foreign-born workers and the difficulty employers face in filling open positions. This trend is posing increasing risks to

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USCIS to Implement New Immigration Benefit Fees Soon

USCIS to Implement New Immigration Benefit Fees Soon

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will soon begin collecting new fees for certain immigration benefit requests. While the specific forms and fee amounts have not yet been disclosed, USCIS has indicated that details regarding implementation will be released in the coming days. This change is part of a broader

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Birthright Citizenship

Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship Faces Legal Roadblocks

On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14160, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” Issued on his first day back in office, the order seeks to end birthright citizenship for certain children born in the United States—a major shift in constitutional interpretation that has triggered widespread litigation and

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