Recent federal court decisions have led the State Department to resume case-specific adjudication of certain immigrant visa and Diversity Visa applications.
September 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-5 Unreserved Visa Numbers Remain Unavailable for India
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin indicates that EB-5 unreserved visa numbers remain unavailable for India while all EB-5 set-aside categories remain current.
State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide as Consular Officers Undergo New Public Charge Training
The Trump administration has directed U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to temporarily pause and reschedule immigrant visa interviews while consular officers undergo mandatory training on enhanced screening procedures, including the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
Continue Reading State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide as Consular Officers Undergo New Public Charge Training
Federal Court Suspends State Department’s Immigrant Visa Ban Affecting 75 Countries
On Aug. 21, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a decision in Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), et al. v. Rubio, striking down a Department of State policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries based on generalized public charge concerns and vacated the policy.
Continue Reading Federal Court Suspends State Department’s Immigrant Visa Ban Affecting 75 Countries
A Second Visa Bond, Aimed at Immigrants: DOS Launches a Public Charge Bond Pilot Beginning in the Dominican Republic
On Aug. 5, 2026, DOS announced the Immigrant Visa Public Charge Bond Pilot Program, which allows consular officers to invite certain immigrant visa applicants found inadmissible on public charge grounds to post a bond as a condition of visa issuance.
Continue Reading A Second Visa Bond, Aimed at Immigrants: DOS Launches a Public Charge Bond Pilot Beginning in the Dominican Republic
New State Department Task Force Expands Visa Enforcement Against Birth Tourism
The Department of State has established a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force to address visa misuse associated with travel to the United States for childbirth.
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The Visa Bond Program Becomes Permanent: Considerations for Employers and Business Travelers
A new final rule permanently establishes the Visa Bond Program for certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants, including bond amounts, eligibility criteria, forfeiture provisions, and travel restrictions.
Department of State Launches $750 Paid Expedite Pilot Program for B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Appointments
The Department of State (DOS) established a temporary Paid Expedite pilot program allowing certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to pay an additional fee for expedited visa interview scheduling. DOS has now launched the pilot program, providing eligible applicants at designated U.S. consular posts with the opportunity to obtain earlier visa interview appointments.
Continue Reading Department of State Launches $750 Paid Expedite Pilot Program for B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Appointments
When Government Systems Don’t Communicate: How State Administrative Errors May Create Serious Immigration Consequences
Recent news reports regarding the erroneous registration of noncitizens to vote serve as an important reminder of a broader issue that immigration practitioners encounter with increasing frequency: the disconnect between state administrative systems and the federal immigration system.
State Department’s Pay.gov Transition Creates Visa Issuance Challenges for Applicants, Employers
A transition to Pay.gov for visa-related fees may affect consular processing where payment verification issues arise.