ImLaw

10/18/2026

Immigration planning doesn't end when a petition is approved. Changes in an employer’s corporate structure or an employee’s worksite location or employing entity can have unintended impacts on an individual’s immigration status.

At ImLaw, we believe thoughtful immigration counsel looks beyond the immediate application. It's about helping clients understand where they are today, what may come next, and how to prepare for the road ahead.

09/29/2026

Duration of status remains the operative framework for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, for now. AILA member Steven Brown explains on the blog.

Read more:

AILA Benefits Litigation Committee Member Steven Brown details the recent injunction postponing the effective date of DHS’s Final Rule replacing duration of status with fixed periods of admission for F, J, and I nonimmigrants (international students) and what the ruling means.

09/26/2026

DOS Announces Expansion of Social Media Vetting to TN, TD, and I Visa Applicants

Effective 10/1/26, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will expand its online presence review to cover TN, TD, and I visa applicants. DOS has instructed all applicants subject to this expanded vetting to set all social media profiles to “public” or “open.”

Read the DOS announcement below, which includes the visa categories already subject to social media vetting:

Effective March 30, the Department of State will expand online presence review to include applicants in the following additional nonimmigrant visa classifications: all A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U.  These are in addition t...

09/22/2026

A great day on the course supporting the West Michigan Christian Educational Collaborative! ImLaw was proud to sponsor yesterday’s golf outing and to spend time alongside educators, leaders, and community partners who are investing in Christian education across West Michigan.

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to step outside the office, strengthen relationships, and support organizations doing meaningful work in the communities we call home. Thanks to WMC Educational Collaborative for a wonderful day!

09/17/2026

Federal Court Enjoins Rule Eliminating D/S for F-1s and J-1s

On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court in the District of Massachusetts granted plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary junction under the Administrative Procedure Act, postponing the effective date of a DHS final rule that would replace the longstanding Duration of Status (D/S) framework for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors with fixed admission periods, reduce the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days, shorten the window for filing initial OPT applications, and prohibit international students from seeking a second degree at the same or lower level (which effectively prevents students from obtaining joint degrees and prohibits students from changing educational goals or transferring schools). The Court found serious concerns with the rule, including DHS’s failure to adequately evaluate its impact and respond to public feedback.

The Court further held:

Accordingly, plaintiffs have demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success of the merits of their claims; that immediate irreparable harm will ensue if the Final Rule is not enjoined; and that the balance of the equities and the public interest favor issuance of a preliminary injunction staying the operation of the rule.

The current Duration of Status (D/S) system remains in effect for now.

You can read the federal court’s Memorandum and Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction below:

09/14/2026

"Federal immigration agencies are increasingly relying on civil monetary penalties as a powerful enforcement tool," writes member Gunda Brost.

Read more about Notices of Intent to Fine (NIFs) in the latest blog post.

AILA Member Gunda Brost describes recent efforts by the Trump Administration to impose fines on individuals and businesses, writing that such notices “are essentially legal proceedings—not simply bills” and that one must “respond in a timely manner or important rights could be lost.”

09/11/2026

For colleges, universities, and research institutions, immigration planning often has to work in coordination with academic calendars, research timelines, funding periods, and institutional processes.

That makes timing particularly important when supporting international faculty, researchers, scholars, and other professionals.

ImLaw works with these institutions to navigate immigration requirements thoughtfully, helping teams understand the legal process and plan ahead for the people they employ and support.

Photo by Dom Fou on Unsplash

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced a loss that continues to be felt across generations. We remember those whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001. We honor the courage of the first responders and everyday people who stepped forward to help. And we hold close the families and communities who carry the weight of that day still.

Today, we pause and remember.

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

09/10/2026

Today marks the beginning of Welcoming Week, a time to celebrate the people, stories, and connections that help make our communities stronger.

This year’s theme, “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect,” feels especially meaningful. Every day in our work, we have the privilege of hearing the stories of people who have crossed borders, built careers, reunited with family, pursued an education, started businesses, and created new lives in the United States.

We are proud to practice immigration law in Michigan, a state that has once again formally recognized Welcoming Week and the contributions of immigrants and refugees to our communities.

At ImLaw, we believe immigration matters. It matters to individuals and families. It matters to businesses and institutions. And it matters to the communities we share.

During Welcoming Week, we celebrate the courage it takes to begin a new chapter and the connections that remind us we are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to belong.

Learn more:

Welcoming Week is September 10-19, 2026 Through Welcoming Week, organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. Visit the Welcoming Week website to fi...

09/08/2026

Immigration law is complex. Our communication with clients should not be.

We believe part of providing excellent legal counsel is taking policy shifts, new rules, and complicated processes and making them understandable based on the information that is available.

Clarity does not eliminate every uncertainty in the immigration process, particularly in today’s evolving environment, but it does make navigating that uncertainty more manageable.