The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Texas and its Republican governor, Greg Abbott, seeking to prevent the implementation of a controversial state immigration law, SB4. This law, passed last year, empowers state police to arrest individuals...
Firm News
New H-1B Renewal Pilot: More Details Released
The State Department has officially outlined the parameters and procedures for its highly anticipated pilot program aimed at renewing H-1B visas in the United States. Beginning January 29, 2024, eligible individuals can initiate the application process through the...
Only 45 Percent of Employment‐Based Green Cards Went to Workers in 2022
In 2022, a substantial 55% of employment-based green cards issued in the United States were allocated to family members, as revealed by a recent report from the Cato Institute, a D.C.-based think tank. The study found that out of the total EB green cards granted, 55%...
U.S. Passport Processing Times Returning to Pre-pandemic Levels
The U.S. State Department declared on Dec 18th that processing times for passport applications have reverted to pre-pandemic norms. Routine passport applications are presently being handled within a span of six to eight weeks, while expedited service, incurring an...
USCIS to Increase Fees for Premium Processing
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on Dec 27th a final rule that will increase the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, to adjust for inflation. The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and the...
2023’s Christmas Letters from Margaret W. Wong and Rose Wong
Dear all my friends and family, Grace, gratitude, and love. I want to wish you the very best for the holiday season. A few weeks ago, we gave thanks for our family and country, and for being blessed by being in this place at this time. I’m so honored to be practicing...
UN Security Council to Vote on Call for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Gaza Conflict
Israel conducted airstrikes and continued its ground campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza on Tuesday this week. Simultaneously, the United States mobilized allies to safeguard shipping lanes in the Red Sea from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Israeli...
Democrats Look to Limit New Immigration Powers, Wary of Trump Election
Senators currently engaged in discussions on potential U.S. immigration restrictions tied to Ukraine aid are actively exploring measures to prevent potential misuse of executive powers by future presidents. Democrats are advocating for a "safety valve" in policies to...
White House Artificial Intelligence Executive Order Improves Immigration Including STEM
On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued an "Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence." This executive order includes many provisions to help STEM non-immigrants with visa extensions and encouragements to...
International Student Numbers Surge Across United States
The United States maintains its status as the preferred destination for international students pursuing higher education, hosting over a million students during the 2022-2023 academic year, as reported in the latest Open Doors Report on International Educational...