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DHS Proposes Additional H-1B Fee

August 24, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to establish a $103,265 fee for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption.

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Chinese Alien Charged with Voter Fraud in Massachusetts

August 21, 2026

A Chinese alien residing in Andover, Mass., was arrested for submitting a fraudulent voter registration and ballot in the 2024 presidential election using the name of another Chinese alien.

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Cuban Alien Pleads Guilty to Role in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering Conspiracy

August 18, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a critical role in an investigation that resulted in a Cuban national pleading guilty to alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering.

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USCIS Plays Key Role in Takedown of Decade-Long Marriage Fraud Ring

August 12, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role in the indictment unsealed today charging 11 individuals with conspiring, over the course of more than a decade, to orchestrate more than 1,000 sham marriages. 

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Denaturalization Case Filed Against Man Who Procured U.S. Citizenship Under False Identity

August 12, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided crucial support to an investigation resulting in charges to denaturalize a man born in India for using a false identity to become a U.S. citizen.

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Miami Man Charged With Defrauding U.S. Immigration System as Part of a National Health Care Takedown

August 11, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a key role in an investigation resulting in federal charges against Eduardo Javier Ibarra Arrowsmith, 61, of Miami.

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Justice Department Files Record 25 Denaturalization Cases Against Naturalized Criminals Including Attempted Murderers, Spousal Abusers, and Child Sex Offenders

August 11, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services partnered with the Department of Justice in its filing of denaturalization actions against 25 individuals accused of serious offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and aggravated sexual assault of a child.

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USCIS Identity Checks Lead to Arrest of Former Latvian Reality TV Contestant with Violent Criminal History

August 06, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ robust screening and vetting uncovered an illegal alien and former reality TV contestant from Latvia with a criminal history that includes sexual battery, aggravated assault, and drug possession.

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Mexican Alien Sentenced for Fraud Conspiracy

August 04, 2026

A Mexican alien in the Kansas City area was sentenced in federal court for his role in helping illegal aliens fraudulently obtain visas allowing them to reside and work in the United States.

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Cuban Alien Sentenced for Role in International Alien Smuggling, Asylum Fraud, and Money Laundering Conspiracy

July 30, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a critical role in an investigation that resulted in the sentencing of Cuban alien Erik Ventura-Castro, 24, of Hialeah, Florida, to 30 months in prison for his role in an international alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.

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USCIS Announces Rule Change to Asylum System to Reduce Backlog

July 27, 2026

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a rule change designed to reduce the backlog in the asylum system.

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DHS and Department of Justice Announce Move to Revoke U.S. Citizenship from 10 Naturalized Criminals Including Child Molesters, Scammers, and Drug Dealers

July 22, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services assisted the Department of Justice (DOJ) with several recent denaturalization actions in U.S. district courts to revoke citizenship from 10 individuals accused of serious crimes, including sexual abuse of a child, health care and wire fraud, immigration fraud, and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

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Illegal Alien Child Rapist Sentenced for Immigration Fraud

July 21, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services supported an investigation resulting in the sentencing of Juarez Sanchez-Montiel, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, for immigration fraud.

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US Citizenship and Immigration Services Rescinds 2022 Public Charge Regulation

July 16, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule rescinding the 2022 Biden-era regulation regarding public charge determinations, further aligning immigration law with Congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-reliant and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits.

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USCIS Plays Critical Role in Illegal Aliens’ Sentencing for Sex Trafficking Child Orphan

July 10, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services played a critical role in a federal investigation that resulted in two Venezuelan illegal aliens being sentenced to a combined 32 years in prison for sex trafficking a 16-year-old orphan, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

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Defendants Sentenced in Visa Fraud and Conspiracy Case

July 02, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to an investigation that led to the sentencings of Jung Hoon Song and Bonnie Jo C. Quichocho, who faked marriage as a scheme to fraudulently gain lawful permanent residence in the United States.

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Man Sentenced to One Year Home Detention for Visa Fraud

June 29, 2026

Defendant forced victims to work without pay in deplorable conditions and lied to the US government

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Justice Department Moves to Strip U.S. Citizenship from 17 Naturalized Sex Offenders, Fraudsters, Drug Dealers, and More

June 12, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services partnered with the Department of Justice in its recent filings of denaturalization actions in various U.S. district courts against 17 individuals accused of serious offenses—including sexual abuse of a minor, wire and bank fraud, and distributing drugs wholesale without a license.

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USCIS Screening and Vetting Efforts Lead to 18-month Sentencing of Illegal Alien in Fraud Case

June 01, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ robust screening and vetting uncovered an immigration fraud scheme that resulted in Venerando Aquino Martin, 56, an illegal alien from the Philippines, being sentenced to 18 months for visa fraud.

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Important Alerts

ALERT
Recent Court Order on Hold Policies

August 28, 2026

On Aug. 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Red Eagle Law, L.C., et al., v. Joseph B. Edlow, 26-cv-04850-CRB (NDCA), enjoining PM 602-0192, and PM 602-0194.

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ALERT
USCIS to Publish New Edition of Form I-485; Older Editions Will Be Rejected Starting Sept. 18

August 19, 2026

On Sept. 18, 2026, USCIS will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (edition date: 09/18/26).

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ALERT
USCIS Issues Guidance on Making Public Charge Inadmissibility Determination

August 18, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual explaining how the agency will determine whether an alien applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident is likely at any time to become a public charge.

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ALERT
USCIS to Publish New Editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765; Older Editions Will Be Rejected Starting Sept. 15

August 14, 2026

On Sept. 15, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will publish revised editions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (edition date for both: 09/15/26). The forms have been revised to align with the recently published Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media final rule.

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ALERT
Court issues Stay: Permits participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies

August 10, 2026

On Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 705 stayed the USCIS August 29, 2025 Policy Alert and Update pending a final resolution of the case on the merits.

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ALERT
USCIS To Require Electronic Filing of Forms: Strengthening National Security

August 10, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is introducing an interim final rule (IFR) that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to mandate electronic filing, or e-filing, for certain immigration forms.

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ALERT
USCIS to Reduce Frivolous Immigration Benefits Requests by Reinforcing Evidence Standards

August 05, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is clarifying that benefit requestors should establish eligibility for an immigration benefit at the time they file a benefit request.

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ALERT
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Cap

July 17, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.

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ALERT
USCIS Opens Asylum Office in Atlanta

July 01, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening an asylum office in Atlanta. Beginning July 8, 2026, the Atlanta Asylum Office will conduct interviews for affirmative asylum applicants at three locations.

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ALERT
Important Notice for Clients of Former Immigration Attorney Alexandra Lozano

June 26, 2026

On May 26, 2026, Alexandra Lozano resigned from the State Bar of Washington in lieu of discipline and is permanently barred from practicing law in Washington.

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ALERT
Court Order on Hold Policies

June 12, 2026

On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued an order in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, et al. v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, et al., 26-cv-00132-JJM-PAS (D.RI.), vacating PM 602-0192, PM 602-0194, and PA 2025-26.

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ALERT
USCIS Opens Asylum Office in San Antonio

June 05, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opened an additional asylum office location in San Antonio, Texas. Beginning May 28, 2026, aliens who filed for asylum with USCIS who reside in the jurisdiction of the Houston Asylum Office may be interviewed at either the Houston Asylum Office or the San Antonio Asylum Office.

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