The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a sweeping change that reshapes the mission of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). On September 5, 2025, DHS published a final rule titled “Codification of Certain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Law Enforcement Authorities” in the Federal Register. The regulation, which takes effect October 6, 2025,…
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On September 8, 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued a major immigration enforcement decision that is already sparking debate across California and beyond. In a 6-3 ruling, the Court lifted a temporary injunction that had restricted immigration stops in Los Angeles. The injunction, issued by a district court in July, barred federal agents from…
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The landscape of adjustment of status and visa eligibility has shifted sharply as of mid‑2025, and families, visa holders, and adjustment‑seeking immigrants must pay close attention to avoid serious consequences. Among the most significant updates, USCIS has dramatically tightened scrutiny of family‑based petitions. As of August 1, 2025, approval of Form I‑130 no longer guarantees…
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued new guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that will significantly impact how immigration benefit requests are reviewed. The agency announced that officers must now give greater consideration to whether an applicant has engaged in anti-American activity, antisemitic activity, or has supported organizations with terrorist affiliations when making…
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Immigrant employees in California are often vulnerable to abusive or exploitative employers who attempt to use immigration status as leverage in the workplace. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for unscrupulous employers to threaten workers with immigration consequences if they complain about unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, or unlawful termination. These actions are not only illegal…
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In today’s immigration climate, applying for a green card through adjustment of status is riskier than ever if you are out of lawful status or at risk of falling out of status during the application process. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted new policies that allow officers to deny cases outright without…
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In May 2025, the Trump administration unveiled a controversial policy setting an aggressive daily arrest quota for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aiming for at least 3,000 arrests each day. This unprecedented approach seeks to surpass one million immigration arrests annually, marking a significant escalation in immigration enforcement within the United States. If you or…
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In 2025, international students in the United States are facing unprecedented challenges due to significant shifts in F-1 visa policies under the Trump administration. These changes encompass the suspension of visa interviews, mass revocations of existing visas, and heightened scrutiny of social media activity. This article delves into the legal foundations of these developments, examines…
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The L-1 visa is a powerful nonimmigrant tool used by multinational companies to transfer key personnel from their foreign offices to U.S. branches. Designed for intra-company transferees, it facilitates the movement of executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers who have been employed by the foreign affiliate for at least one continuous year within the three…
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Adjustment of status through marriage to a U.S. citizen is one of the most heavily scrutinized immigration pathways under U.S. law. Although it provides a direct route to lawful permanent residence, it also carries with it an inherent presumption of fraud, particularly under the framework of INA § 204(c) and 8 U.S.C. § 1154(c), which…
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