U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued an interim final rule establishing a framework under which the agency may require certain immigration benefit requests to be filed electronically.
Continue Reading USCIS Establishes Framework for Mandatory Electronic Filing: What Employers and Foreign Nationals Should Know
As discussed elsewhere on this blog, DHS has finalized a new rule governing F-1 status, scheduled to take effect on Sept. 15, 2026. The rule’s core change is to eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 students, J exchange visitors, and I foreign media representatives, replacing it with fixed admission periods and requiring extensions
Despite heightened scrutiny, evolving adjudication standards, and continued operational pressure on U.S. immigration agencies, 2026 may prove a viable — and even advantageous — year for U.S. employers to sponsor global talent. The employers who may see the greatest success might approach sponsorship strategically, plan well in advance, and incorporate lessons learned from government practices
For Italian enterprises contemplating expansion into the United States, it is essential to appreciate the country’s multifaceted legal landscape.
Continue Reading Considerations for Italian Companies Expanding into the US Market
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a policy change impacting thousands of noncitizen workers and their employers across the United States. In an interim final rule released this week, DHS ended the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain categories of applicants who file renewal requests.
Beginning Oct. 30, 2025
A shift is coming to U.S. immigration policy—and it’s arriving fast. As reported on our blog, beginning Sept. 21, 2025, a new Presidential Proclamation will impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions. While this fee does not apply to extensions, its impact on corporate hiring and immigration strategy may be profound.
The line between permissible business visitor activities and unauthorized employment has come under heightened scrutiny. A recent large-scale raid – where foreign nationals were found working on B-1/ESTA entries – demonstrates how costly missteps can be.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its Spring 2025 Unified Regulatory Agenda, outlining changes to immigration policies and enforcement procedures that may affect U.S. employers and their workforces.
Continue Reading Spring 2025 DHS Regulatory Agenda: Immigration Policy Changes and Employer Considerations (Part 1)
Government agencies are increasingly auditing employers for compliance with Form I-9 employment verification requirements and Labor Condition Application (LCA) obligations related to H-1B and other work visas. These audits often come with little notice, and mishandling them may result in penalties and business disruption.
Continue Reading Responding to I-9 and LCA Audits: Employer Considerations
The shift toward remote and hybrid work arrangements has created compliance challenges for U.S. employers sponsoring foreign workers under H-1B, E-3, and H-1B1 classifications. While remote work offers flexibility and expanded talent pools, it introduces complex legal obligations that, if overlooked, may result in