Madison Piper PC, A Professional Law Corporation

04/14/2026

Forbes reports that H-1B and L-1 employees are facing significant delays at U.S. consulates, particularly in India, where appointments for visa stamps (travel documents) may be delayed until 2027 in some locations. Increased vetting and other policy changes are the primary cause.

U.S. companies and their employees continue to endure long visa wait times at consulates due to changes in Trump administration policies.

01/16/2026

On January 14, 2026, the Trump Administration announced a pause on Immigrant Visa issuance (Consular Processing), beginning on January 21, 2026 for foreign nationals of 75 designated countries, thereby creating a non-statutory presumption of public charge ineligibility. Applicants will still be allowed to submit applications and attend scheduled Immigrant Visa interviews at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad, however, no new Immigrant visas will be issued.

As of now, USCIS has not issued a corresponding pause on adjudications of Adjustment of Status for nationals in the Department of State IV pause announcement.

Please note that the DOS pause does not impact nonimmigrant (temporary) visa issuance.

01/02/2026

DHS announced a final rule implementing a weighted selection process for cap-subject H-1B petitions that prioritizes higher-paid individuals, effective 2/27/26. It will be in place for the FY27 H-1B cap registration season.

12/04/2025

According to the U.S. Department of State announcement, "As of December 15, the Department will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review.

The State Department uses all available information in visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety. We conduct thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.

Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission. A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right."

Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and other National Security and Public Safety Threats

11/10/2025

People seeking visas to live in the U.S. might be rejected if they have certain medical conditions, including diabetes or obesity, under a new directive from the Trump administration.

11/03/2025

About the J-1 Cultural Exchange Visitor Program -

Immigration remains at the center of public debate. In recent months, the government has made changes to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa programs—from social media vetting to raising H-1B eligibility standards and strengthening monitoring requirements. Though these initiatives vary in scope a...

11/03/2025

USCIS will eliminate the automatic extension for thousands of immigrant workers who filed to renew their lawful work permits.

11/03/2025

After much confusion, USCIS has confirmed when employers will be subject to the $100,000 fee and when exceptions will be made.

10/31/2025

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit challenging the $100,000 fee imposed last month on Employers who sponsor foreign national workers under the H-1B visa program.

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee sparks backlash as the Chamber of Commerce mounts a rare legal fight against him.

10/30/2025

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has issued an interim final rule which ends the automatic 540-day extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs filed on Form I-765) for all renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025. The rule applies to all categories previously eligible for the extension. Public comments are due by December 1, 2025.

10/30/2025

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Office has received reports of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) in connection with the new $100,000 H-1B petition proclamation fee. AILA is seeking examples from members in order to determine whether these RFEs have been issued erroneously.