SAM LAW - Canadian Immigration & Business Law Firm

05/23/2026

The United States just fundamentally changed the rules for over 800,000 people — mid-process.

On Friday, USCIS issued a memo stating that most foreigners seeking green cards will now be required to leave the US and apply from their home countries. Adjustment of status — the process that allowed people already lawfully in the US to obtain permanent residence without departing — will be granted only in "extraordinary circumstances."

Let that sink in.

In 2024 alone, more than 820,000 green cards were approved through adjustment of status. That is not a policy footnote. That is the primary pathway used by H-1B workers, students, spouses of US citizens, and employer-sponsored professionals who have built their lives in the United States — often for years.

What does this mean in practice?

→ A spouse of a US citizen who entered on a valid visa and filed their green card application could now be required to return to their home country — and wait.

→ A skilled foreign worker on an H-1B whose employer-sponsored green card petition is approved may face consular processing abroad, adding months or years to a process already measured in years.

→ Consulates around the world — already under significant backlogs — will be asked to absorb hundreds of thousands of new files. Processing times will lengthen. Family separations will follow.

This is not a minor procedural adjustment. It is a structural dismantling of a pathway that has functioned for decades.

For skilled professionals currently navigating US immigration uncertainty, a few observations from the Canadian side of the border:

Canada's Express Entry system has issued over 53,000 invitations to apply in the first 11 weeks of 2026 alone. Our federal skilled worker, Canadian Experience Class, and trades programs offer transparent, points-based pathways to permanent residence — without requiring applicants to leave the country mid-process to preserve their eligibility.

Stability matters. Predictability matters. The legal framework governing your immigration journey matters.

If you or your clients are reassessing options in light of today's developments, I am available for consultations. Canadian permanent residence is not a consolation prize — for many globally mobile professionals, it is increasingly the more secure long-term strategy.

📞 +1 (416) 854 4467
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 samlawcanada.com

📞 +1 (437) 987 6137
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 samlawcanada.com



https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/us/politics/green-card-changes-trump.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

The change is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of people. It could also lead to more family separations as spouses or relatives wait for application decisions, immigration lawyers said.

04/21/2026

Every immigration file tells a story — and this one is a reminder of why this work matters.

A Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) on medical grounds is one of the most anxiety-inducing challenges an applicant can face. The stakes are high, the process is complex, and the margin for error is slim.

We are honoured to share this testimonial from our client A.Z. Rizvi of Oakville, ON, whose Permanent Residence application was successfully approved after navigating exactly that challenge.

At the Law Office of Sajjad A. Malik (SAMLAW), we believe every client deserves thorough preparation, clear communication, and unwavering advocacy — regardless of how complex the circumstances.

If you or someone you know is facing a PFL, medical inadmissibility concerns, or any complex immigration matter, we are here to help.

📩 Reach us at www.samlawcanada.com

04/15/2026

Thankful for being featured in Canada’s national newspaper, the Toronto Star..

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/canada-is-overhauling-its-signature-skilled-immigration-system-heres-what-is-changing/article_a19c2606-fd74-4f76-bcb2-c5a5c2dabf5d.html

03/19/2026

to all celebrating.

03/19/2026

🇨🇦 Express Entry Draw – March 18, 2026

French-Language Proficiency (Version 2)

• Invitations issued: 4,000
• CRS cut-off: 393
• Rank: 4,000+
• Tie-breaker: Dec 29, 2025 (12:47:31 UTC)

📉 Lower CRS highlights Canada’s continued push for French-speaking candidates.

📌 Clear signal: category-based draws are driving selection.

03/18/2026

Canada continues prioritizing in-Canada talent 🇨🇦

Express Entry Draw (Mar 17, 2026):
• 4,000 ITAs issued
• CRS cut-off: 507
• Program: CEC

Slight drop in CRS signals gradual easing, but competition remains strong.

03/06/2026

Canada launches new program to grant 33,000 foreign workers permanent residence

Lena Metlege Diab says in an interview that the program has been soft-launched as large numbers of migrants are running out of status in Canada.

03/05/2026

Canada has conducted its first-ever Express Entry draw for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience.

🔹 Invitations issued: 250
🔹 CRS Cut-off: 429
🔹 Category: Senior Managers with Canadian work experience

This new targeted category highlights Canada’s focus on attracting experienced senior leadership already contributing to the Canadian economy. 

If you are a senior manager working in Canada, this pathway may offer a strong opportunity for permanent residence.

03/04/2026

Express entries Canadian experience class draw with the CRS score of 508

02/26/2026

Where is Canada’s Immigration Minister?

A recent report by CBC News raises difficult but important questions about leadership, accessibility, and accountability within Canada’s immigration portfolio.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab is facing criticism from community organizations, opposition MPs, and reportedly even members of her own caucus regarding her visibility, responsiveness, and command of the file.

At a time when Canada is:

- Reducing temporary resident levels

- Tightening policy frameworks

- Managing record backlogs

- Responding to shifting public opinion

— strong, clear, and consistent leadership is more important than ever.

Immigration is not just a policy area. It affects families, businesses, provinces, labour markets, and Canada’s global reputation. Stakeholder engagement and transparency are essential, especially during periods of recalibration.

Regardless of political affiliation, one thing is clear: Canada’s immigration system is at a pivotal moment.

I encourage everyone working in immigration, settlement services, policy, and business to read this piece and reflect on where the system is heading.



Newcomer organizations are expressing concerns about Immigration Minister Lena Diab's availability, and nine Liberal MPs are questioning her place at the cabinet table.