Dear Readers,
We’re approaching the six-month mark in the Trump Administration, and we’ve certainly had more than our fair share of immigration changes. No surprise there. Travel bans. Birthright citizenship. Massive immigration enforcement efforts. Student visa revocations. But sometimes the most surprising news involves things that haven’t changed. For example, yesterday, I was asked about how the naturalization process has been affected in the new Administration. And I had to think for a while before finally telling the client that not a lot is new. The application process is pretty much unchanged. And processing times are pretty much unchanged. That’s been pretty much the same story for a number of employment-based immigration processes. The H-1B lottery went off without a hitch, and we’re not yet hearing of any big adjudication trends that are changing how we advise clients. We’re warning about more Requests for Evidence being likely and to expect headaches at US consulates abroad. But the core H-1B application process with USCIS seems to be largely the same. Nevertheless, we’re now at a point where we look at no news as good news and to expect any news as very likely to be bad news. So to the extent we have nothing to report about changes, take that as a positive.
In Siskind Susser news, I’ve got two big things to announce. First, I’d like to welcome Marshal Garbus, our newest attorney. Marshal brings with him a depth of expertise in handling talent worker cases. That’s especially so for artists and entrepreneurs and we’re looking forward to benefiting from Marshal’s expertise (especially when it comes to consular issues). The other news is the publication of the fourth edition of the AILA Practice and Procedures Manual (the “AILA Cookbook”) authored by my law partner Ari Sauer and me. The new book is a monster – over 4,200 pages in three volumes. This systems manual for immigration lawyers provides all the materials a lawyer needs to handle most of the major types of immigration cases. In this new edition, we’ve added chapters on H-2A agricultural worker visas and the EB-5 immigrant investor category. This AILA bestseller is one that lawyer across the US depend on and we’re thrilled to have gotten this book to the finish line in time for the AILA annual conference that took place in Denver this summer.
Sincerely,
Greg Siskind
In the News from ABIL
In the most recent of a continuing series of actions taken against international students seeking to pursue an education in the United States, the Trump administration ordered U.S. embassies and consulates to pause new interviews for all international student and exchange visitor visa applicants while it considers significantly expanding social media vetting of the students. The administration also plans to “aggressively” revoke the visas of certain Chinese students and enhance future scrutiny, with a focus on those studying in “critical fields” or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The news was met with widespread dismay among international students and in the higher education community.
On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the Trump administration can terminate a Biden-era special humanitarian parole program for an estimated 532,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans in the United States.
Expanded DOJ Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program Prioritizes Immigration Violations
The Department of Justice expanded its corporate whistleblower program, increasing scrutiny on U.S. employers of noncitizens. The new policy forecasts a focus on noncitizens with H-1B or L-1 status and those who may have fallen out of immigration status.
Supreme Court Says Trump Administration Can Revoke Venezuelan TPS
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can move forward, while legal proceedings continue, with revoking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an estimated 350,000 Venezuelans in the United States who received TPS in 2023.
E-Verify Alerts Employers About Mismatches in Social Security Information
EVerify announced a technical issue with Social Security Administration mismatch (tentative nonconfirmation) cases that were referred between April 9 and May 5, 2025.
The visa restrictions, on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States, is also “global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program.”
The U.S. Supreme Court sent a case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to determine whether the Trump administration can summarily deport a group of Venezuelan detainees under the Alien Enemies Act. The Supreme Court also determined that the lower federal court should rule on how much notice the federal government must provide to allow the migrants to challenge the government’s plans to deport them.
DHS Terminates TPS for Afghanistan
The Temporary Protected Status designation for the country expired on May 20, 2025, and the termination will take effect July 14, 2025. The decision affects an estimated 9,000 Afghans in the United States.
DV-2026 Entrant Status Check Access Opens
Diversity Visa lottery (DV-2026) entrants may enter their confirmation information at the Electronic Diversity Visa Program website to check the status of their applications until “at least September 30, 2026.”
Advocates Object to Alien Registration Form and Process Under Interim Final Rule
The American Immigration Lawyers Association said that the interim final rule violates the U.S. Constitution, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act; exceeds U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ authority; and is inconsistent with statutory requirements. AILA also had many objections to the related Form G-325R (Biographic Information).
First 100 Days: USCIS Touts Its Record on ‘Making America Safe Again’
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services touted the agency’s record on “aggressively working to ensure America’s national security by addressing vulnerabilities in immigration policies, reducing exploitation of humanitarian parole programs, and assisting enforcement agencies in identifying and removing illegal aliens.”
DHS Extends TPS for South Sudan for Six Months
The Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan through November 3, 2025. The extension also automatically extends the validity of work permits previously issued under the TPS designation of South Sudan for six months.
DHS Rescinds Romania’s VWP Designation
Effective May 2, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, has rescinded Romania’s Visa Waiver Program designation.
TSA Begins Full REAL ID Enforcement
On May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced full implementation of REAL ID enforcement measures at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints nationwide. DHS said that 81% of travelers are already REAL ID compliant.
Trump Administration Prioritizes Refugee Admissions for Afrikaners
The Trump administration is preparing to bring 54 Afrikaners (descendants of mostly Dutch settlers in South Africa; many are farmers) into the United States as refugees, despite blocking refugee admissions otherwise.
The cable, which has wider implications beyond women’s sports, discusses visa adjudication procedures related to sex assigned at birth and “[t]alking points for use with affected applicants.”
Trump Issues Travel Ban on 12 Countries and Partial Ban on 7 Countries, With Exceptions
President Trump issued a proclamation, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The proclamation includes a country-by-country list of restrictions and exceptions.
Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Trump Administration’s Block on Harvard International Student Visas
After an emergency request from Harvard University, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to stop the Trump administration from blocking visas for new international students coming to Harvard.
DHS Ramps Up ‘Crackdown’ on Visa Overstays
Following a Boulder, Colorado, attack perpetrated by an Egyptian national, the Department of Homeland Security said that U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be “ramping up the review of immigration records and will take immediate appropriate actions” to crack down on visa overstays.
DHS Terminates TPS for Nepal and Cameroon in August
Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Nepal and Cameroon will take place in August.
USCIS Seeks Comments on New Biographic and Employment Identifiers on Immigration Forms
The new collection is intended “to establish enhanced screening and vetting standards and procedures.”
After a court order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a cable to the field ordering the resumption of Harvard international student and exchange visitor visa processing.
USCIS Releases Statement on Termination of CHNV Parole Programs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a statement on termination of parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
USCIS Changes Validity Period for Any Form I-693 Signed On or After November 1, 2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarified that a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the application with which the Form I-693 was submitted is pending.
DHS Announces Fine Forgiveness for Those Who Self-Deport With CBP Home App
Undocumented persons who self-deport from the United States through the CBP Home App will receive forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart, the Department of Homeland Security said.
President Trump Authorizes Private Company to Construct and Operate a Border Crossing
President Trump released a memorandum permitting Green Corridors, LLC, to construct, maintain, and operate a commercial elevated guideway crossing on the U.S. border with Mexico in Laredo, Texas.
After Trump Post, DHS Orders Pause in ICE Raids on Restaurants, Hotels, and Farms
Following a post by President Trump on Truth Social, the Department of Homeland Security has ordered a pause on deportation-related raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on worksites in the agricultural, hospitality, and restaurant industries.
The Department of State resumed visa processing for new and returning students and exchange visitors (F, M, and J nonimmigrants) but announced enhanced social media and online presence screening and vetting procedures. Consular posts may resume processing of expedited appointment requests and are directed to prioritize physicians applying for J visas and applicants studying at U.S. universities where international students constitute 15 percent or less of the total student body.
President Trump has reversed the pause he called for a week ago on deportation-related raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on worksites in the agricultural, hospitality, and restaurant industries.
The three-day filing window to submit an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142B and appendices) requesting a work start date of October 1, 2025, will open on July 3, 2025, and close on July 5, 2025.
Trump Administration Considers Expanding Travel Ban to 36 Additional Countries
Following the Trump administration’s issuance of a travel (entry) ban on 19 countries, President Trump is considering expanding the ban to up to 36 additional, mostly African, countries.
Supreme Court Decision Limits Nationwide Injunctions, Leaves Birthright Citizenship Issue Unsettled
On June 27, 2025, in a case implicating President Trump’s Executive Order on birthright citizenship, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision limiting federal courts’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions blocking executive orders and broad national policies. The decision did not address the merits or constitutionality of President Trump’s Executive Order on birthright citizenship. The decision means that there will be continuing and evolving uncertainties, including legal challenges to the Executive Order in the federal courts.
The U.S. Supreme Court paused a lower court ruling to allow the Trump administration to deport people to third countries without the ability to argue that they would face torture. Specifically, a group of men being held at a military base in Djibouti will be sent to South Sudan while their case continues in court.
E-Verify, SAVE Announce New Status Change Reports for Employers of Those Whose Parole Is Terminated
The Department of Homeland Security announced that it is revoking Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for certain people whose parole has been terminated. E-Verify and the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program have launched new Status Change Reports for employers to identify if any of their E-Verify cases were created with an EAD that has been revoked.
Many International Doctors Are in Visa Limbo, Risking Shortages in the United States
Hundreds of doctors who were expected to begin medical residencies at U.S. hospitals shortly are stuck in “visa limbo” because of delays, an inability to make J-1 visa appointments, or additional vetting, despite the Department of State’s recent announcement that interviews could resume. Others have been unable to enter the United States due to the Trump administration’s travel (entry) ban on 19 countries.
Uncertainty in Middle East Disrupts U.S. Visa Processing and Consular Services
Visa processing across the Middle East is facing renewed disruption due to developments such as tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Recent military activity involving Iran, and the U.S. government’s evacuation of non-essential personnel from multiple embassies across the Middle East, are significantly affecting visa processing in the region.
OFLC Publishes New List of Professional Occupations Effective July 1, 2025
The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification has reviewed occupational and education data and published a new list of occupations on its website, as it does annually.
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification said it has approved the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ 2025 Prevailing Wage Study survey for 408 occupations and will issue updated CW-1 prevailing wages using the data from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The updated wage table includes prevailing wage data for a total of 848 occupations.
State Department Visa Bulletin
To view the July 2025 Visa Bulletin from the State Department, click here.