Pillar Immigration Services, PLLC

08/26/2026

https://www.npr.org/2026/08/22/nx-s1-5941765/trump-immigration-visa-ban-75-countries?utm_campaign=51928607-Hubspot-AILA8-8-24-26&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8zX3X7uyqzIprwkaCUaXx2K6IkQGXoiQQiniZIjBAn0u_4IAPhtOIzuANup_Ac4UWejfJHh7VQ6E5OvGJalioyp766UhbXomp5RWlSnpYaNSyYWWw&_hsmi=434861717&utm_content=434861717&utm_source=hs_email

The U.S. stopped issuing visas for citizens of 75 countries because it said they were likely to need public assistance. A judge ruled the policy illegally discriminated on the basis of nationality.

08/24/2026

https://abcnews.com/Politics/judge-strikes-trump-administration-policy-suspended-immigrant-visas/story?id=135862935&fbclid=IwY2xjawT4j9dwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4BqCDUwqq038pQRYE6BHLBnXjlqgSBbu7zoqcFGAHne9SuDK_x0VNyIPeM_g_aem_GidNF1TFPeck_BoMbXhCsw

A U.S. district judge said the policy "is contrary to law and was issued in excess of Secretary Rubio's statutory authority."

08/13/2026

I'm happy to report that I've earned the recognition of Elite Lawyer. Now I just have to pay $439 to be able to show it. I wonder how much it costs to earn the recognition of Best Lawyer in America. These types of paid for "recognitions" should be banned as they can mislead the public. Client reviews and verifiable professional legal organizations such as State Bar Association awards is what clients should consider in selecting an attorney (not paid for recognitions).

07/17/2026

On July 16, 2026, USCIS announced a final rule rescinding the 2022 regulation on public charge determinations, which instructed USCIS officers to consider specific public benefits when determining whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The updated framework goes into effect nationwide on September 18, 2026, giving USCIS officers broader discretion to determine if an applicant is likely to become dependent on government assistance. USCIS officers will no longer be limited to considering cash benefits. They are now empowered to evaluate a totality of circumstances, including an applicant's age, health, family status, education, skills, and past use of any taxpayer-funded benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, or housing assistance.

07/17/2026

Today, July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the publication of a final rule that officially eliminates the “duration of status” admission period for individuals in the F (academic student), J (exchange visitor), and I (foreign information media representative) classifications to a fixed period of admission. These visa holders will now will be admitted for the length of their specific program, not to exceed a maximum period of four years.

07/09/2026

On July 8, 2026, a federal judge ordered USCIS to resume processing I-765 employment authorization applications for noncitizens affected by a policy that had frozen applications from individuals from 39 “high-risk” countries. The court found that USCIS has a duty to adjudicate immigration benefit applications within a reasonable period of time and that the agency’s policy memo could be challenged under the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling affects applicants who rely on employment authorization, including asylum seekers, foreign students, green card applicants, and other eligible noncitizens whose I-765 applications had been placed on hold.

06/27/2026

On May 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) which will be effective July 10, 2026 and provides that if U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accepts a benefit request and later determines that the request lacks a valid signature, USCIS may, in its discretion, reject or deny the filing.

Although the requirement for a valid signature is not new, the IFR materially increases the consequences of noncompliance and codifies USCIS’s authority to take adverse action at any point in the adjudication process. The rule reflects the agency’s stated concern regarding an increase in filings containing invalid or questionable signatures and its intent to strengthen enforcement and standardize adjudication practices.

If you are filing for a benefit without the assistance of an attorney, make sure to check signature requirements before filing.

A. Signature RequirementUSCIS requires a valid signature on applications, petitions, requests, and certain other documents filed with USCIS.

06/27/2026

The NBC News reports that immigrant advocacy and legal aid organizations have sued ICE and USCIS over “severe delays” in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal processing, alleging that delayed adjudications are causing recipients to lose jobs and work authorization as their status lapses. The complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, seeks information on renewal policies, current average processing times, and length of processing after the agencies allegedly failed to respond by a June 5 deadline.

DACA recipients are pushing to get answers about the government’s delays in approving DACA renewals, which have led recipients to lose work permits and their jobs.

06/24/2026

USCIS published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would significantly increase filing fees for naturalization and related review processes. Under the proposal, the fee for Form N-400 would increase from $760 for paper filings ($710 online) to $1,330 for paper filings ($1,280 online). The fee for Form N-336 would increase from $830 for paper filings ($780 online) to $1,475 for paper filings ($1,425 online). The proposal would also eliminate most fee waivers and reduced-fee options for these filings. Public comments are due by August 24, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to adjust the fees that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges for Form N-400, and Form N-336, to end both the reduced fee option for Form N-400, and the availability of fee waivers for both forms. Current and former armed...

05/22/2026

On 5/21/26, USCIS issued a policy memo asserting that adjustment of status under section 245 of the INA is a matter of discretion and administrative grace not designed to supersede the regular consular processing of immigrant visas. The memo instructs adjudicators to assess each case under a totality‑of‑the‑circumstances framework, weigh all favorable and adverse factors, and approve only where the applicant’s equities justify a favorable exercise of discretion. In a press release, USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler stated, “From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.” If you are looking to file for adjustment of status, it is important now more than ever to at least consult with an immigration attorney PRIOR TO filing. Pillar Immigration Services offers a free 30-minute consultation which you can schedule on

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