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Your trusted source for weekly U.S. and global immigration news, delivering the latest updates and developments to keep you informed.

09/01/2026

Effective August 31, 2026, sponsors must use the new 08/24/26 edition of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. The updated form includes a significant new authorization allowing USCIS and the Department of State to request the sponsor’s credit report and credit score.

Here’s what sponsors need to know:

🔹 Credit checks are authorized: Signing the new Form I-864, I-864A, or I-864EZ gives USCIS and DOS permission to request credit information.

🔹 No minimum credit score: USCIS has not established a minimum credit score for financial sponsors. The main financial requirement remains meeting the applicable income threshold.

🔹 Credit freezes may cause delays: Sponsors with a security or credit freeze may need to lift it if USCIS cannot access their credit information.

🔹 No grace period: The previous 10/17/24 edition is no longer valid for filings submitted or postmarked on or after August 31, 2026.

If you are sponsoring a family member for a green card, make sure you are using the correct and current form edition.

Need help understanding the Affidavit of Support or your family-based immigration case? Contact Direct U.S. Immigration or schedule a consultation with our office.

08/27/2026

🚨 Breaking Immigration News: Immigrant Visa Interviews Temporarily Paused Worldwide

The U.S. Department of State has temporarily suspended immigrant visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad while consular officers receive training related to public charge guidance.

Applicants with scheduled interviews are being notified that their appointments have been cancelled and will need to be rescheduled. The Department of State has not yet provided a timeline for when interviews will resume or how quickly affected appointments will be rescheduled.

Current information indicates that the pause is limited to immigrant visa interviews and does not extend to nonimmigrant visa categories.

There is also no clear guidance yet on whether applicants who have already completed their interviews but are awaiting visa issuance will be affected.

For families navigating the immigrant visa process, this temporary pause could result in additional uncertainty and delays.

📌 If your interview has been cancelled or your case is currently pending, stay informed and monitor communications from the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate.

Direct U.S. Immigration can help you understand how this development may affect your case. Contact us to discuss your options and next steps.

08/24/2026

A significant development in U.S. immigration law: a federal court in the Southern District of New York has vacated the State Department’s suspension of immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries.

The court determined that the policy exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act and violated provisions of federal immigration law and the Administrative Procedure Act.

As a result, the State Department is required to resume immigrant visa processing and issuance for affected applicants. Certain visa refusals based solely on the suspended policy must also be reconsidered.

The State Department may appeal the decision, meaning additional changes could follow.

For applicants and families affected by the suspension, this development may create an opportunity for their cases to move forward—but eligibility and case-specific circumstances still matter.

If your immigrant visa case was affected, Direct U.S. Immigration can help you understand what this development may mean for your situation.

Contact Direct U.S. Immigration to discuss your case and next steps.

08/24/2026

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a significant new fee of $103,265 for H-1B cap-subject petitions, including petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption.

If implemented, this fee would be in addition to existing H-1B filing fees and applicable payments, potentially substantially increasing the cost of H-1B sponsorship for employers.

The proposal would not apply to certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions, including qualifying petitions filed by institutions of higher education and certain nonprofit and governmental research organizations.

This is a proposed rule, not a final requirement. Employers and prospective H-1B beneficiaries should monitor the rulemaking process closely before making decisions based on the proposed fee.

At Direct U.S. Immigration, we’ll continue following this development and sharing important updates as they become available.

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