The U visa is one of the most powerful yet misunderstood forms of immigration relief available to undocumented immigrants and noncitizens who have been victims of crime in the United States. Created by Congress to encourage crime victims to come forward without fear of deportation, the U visa provides lawful immigration status, work authorization, and…
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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a significant policy update on December 22, 2025, rewriting the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition guidance in Volume 3 of the USCIS Policy Manual. The update, effective immediately for all VAWA requests pending or filed on or after that date, refines evidentiary expectations, codifies long-standing practices,…
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The K-1 fiancé visa is often portrayed as a fast and romantic gateway to permanent residence in the United States. A U.S. citizen files a petition, the foreign fiancé enters the country, the couple marries, and a green card follows. What is rarely emphasized is how unforgiving the law becomes if that marriage does not…
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Trump’s recent proclamation aimed at expanding medical marijuana and cannabidiol research has generated widespread confusion, particularly among immigrants and noncitizens. Headlines and social media posts have led many to believe that marijuana is now “legal under federal law” or that past marijuana use no longer matters for immigration purposes. That assumption is wrong, and relying…
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1. What’s happening? Recent reporting reveals that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a consular-cable instructing officers to treat certain chronic health issues — including cancer, diabetes, obesity and metabolic or neurological diseases — as factors in determining whether a visa applicant may become a “public charge.” In effect, individuals seeking U.S. immigrant visas…
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The interim final rule published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulatory agenda (DHS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0271; RIN 1615-AD05) fundamentally alters the framework for automatic extensions of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for renewal applicants. The rule amends 8 C.F.R. § 274a.13 and related provisions,…
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Published October 24, 2025 by Thomas M. Lee H.R. 875, officially titled the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, represents one of the most significant proposed changes to immigration enforcement in recent years. Introduced by Representative Barry Moore of Alabama, the bill seeks to amend…
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By Thomas Lee, Esq.Immigration and Employment AttorneyLee Law Offices, APLC — Los Angeles, California The recent clarification from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding President Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee has generated intense discussion across the immigration and business communities.According to the new USCIS guidance, the $100,000 fee applies only to new H-1B…
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The immigration world is buzzing after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will once again review and approve new DACA applications. This is the first time since 2021 that Dreamers—undocumented young people who arrived in the United States as children—will have the opportunity to apply for protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood…
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On September 19, 2025, President Trump introduced a major immigration reform through Executive Order 14351, creating the Gold Card Visa Program. This program is being described as a fast-track U.S. green card option for high-net-worth individuals, investors, and corporations who want to secure permanent residency in the United States while making a direct financial contribution…
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