New H-1B Executive Actions Increase Scrutiny of Employers and Extend $100,000 Payment Requirement On September 18, 2026, the Trump Administration issued two significant presidential actions affecting the H-1B program: a…
A federal court has postponed implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that would have replaced “duration of status” (D/S) admission for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors with fixed I-94 expiration dates.
The rule, originally scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026, would have significantly changed how F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants are admitted to and maintain status in the United States.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal addressing fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) has completed review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), moving the proposal one step closer to publication. There has been significant reporting regarding the possibility of a $100,000 OPT fee, but DHS has not publicly confirmed that amount. Until the proposed rule is published, the $100,000 figure should not be treated as an established component of the proposal.
On September 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would eliminate the discretionary grace period of up to 60 days currently available to certain…
On August 24, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rule that would impose a new $103,265 fee on cap-subject H-1B petitions. The proposed fee would be in addition to the…
A federal judge has struck down the State Department’s policy suspending immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries, finding that the policy violated federal immigration law and exceeded the…
On August 12, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a broadcast message to designated school officials (DSOs) emphasizing their responsibilities when authorizing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students…
A federal appeals court has refused to reinstate the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B fee, leaving the district court’s injunction in place while the appeal continues. Employers are not currently required to pay the fee for covered H-1B filings, but the litigation remains active and additional appeals are expected.
The Department of State has announced the first U.S. embassy and consulates participating in its new $750 expedited B-1/B-2 visa interview pilot program. The pilot is now available at U.S. Consulates in Mexico and offers eligible applicants the option to obtain an interview within 10 business days for an additional fee.
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Thank you, The MK Team