Waypoint Immigration USA

10/16/2026

Consider this a PSA:

You do not need an O-1 to get your green card in the future.

I know that’s not necessarily the current take on things. O-1s are popular right now, and rightfully so. We love doing agent-sponsored O-1s in fact, and there are times when it makes a lot of sense for a client.

But there are also times when it doesn’t.

Unfortunately, there are people out there telling clients they should pursue an O-1 when what they really should focus on is an H-1B. It’s just a better pathway for their unique circumstances.

And that’s the thing: every case is different.

I know there are experts and influencers out there that are excited to talk about the O-1 and I get that. It’s a really flexible pathway.

But you’re not guaranteed those three-year extensions after the initial three year grant. It doesn’t transfer the way an H-1B can either.

We want to build the best case for you and if that means filing for an O-1, then that’s the way we’ll go. But let’s talk about your case first and find the pathway that suits you best.

Let’s explore both your options and your goals and make a decision that makes sense for you.

Have you downloaded our app? You can save 10% on any of our services when you book through the app (discounts have already been applied).

IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/waypoint-immigration-usa/id6791800148
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.base69fb49dce137902eb7fa2b3e.app

10/15/2026

And the craziness continues.

The J-1 research scholar visa is now coming under fire, same as H-1Bs and F-1s.
The Trump administration is investigating nine prominent U.S. universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and MIT, over allegations they have misused the J-1 exchange visitor program.

JD Vance publicly accused the institutions of relying too heavily on J-1 visa holders for research positions, suggesting the nine universities collectively employed individuals under the J-1 program at a rate of 61%, compared to a national average of 38%.

It is worth mentioning that Vance did not disclose the calculations behind those numbers.

He also raised concerns about the potential impact on wages for American researchers and graduate students.

And if you’re thinking a brawl between Harvard and the government sounds familiar, you’re not wrong:

The Trump administration tried to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification in 2025, citing national security concerns and demanding that Harvard prove the people it sponsored weren’t compromising U.S. interests. Harvard filed a federal lawsuit, alleging political retaliation, and obtained an injunction blocking the move.

This time, the administration is taking a different approach.

This new allegation is “financial and wage fraud” under federally funded grants. Given that it’s not just Harvard targeted this time, and because federal agencies possess broad statutory authority to investigate any potential wage “undercutting” as well as the overall allocation of tax dollars, this one may not be so easy to dismiss as political retaliation.

As a result, Harvard is participating in a measured compliance by handing over mandated records, even as it continues to publicly condemn the government’s actions.

The Harvard International Office confirmed the university currently sponsors visas for more than 10,000 international students and scholars across the University. The school has issued notices promising to notify individuals within its international community if their specific records are surrendered to federal investigators.

What happens next?

We'll be keeping a close eye on developments and sharing updates as more information becomes available.

10/14/2026

Recently attended an AOS interview in Boston.

In the end, this was a genuinely pleasant experience overall. We did have some disagreements about how two of the questions on the I-485 should be answered, but I was able to jump in, ask some clarifying questions, and ensure the interview stayed on track.

And this particular officer was willing to have the important conversations.

They are real people, after all. And they’re working with rules and directives just like everybody else.

So, we talked about the issues and made clarifications on the document my client was asked to sign, ensuring they weren’t agreeing to something that wasn’t accurate.

These are actually really good examples of why you should have your attorney attend an interview with you. We don’t always have to step in, but we’re ready and able to do so when it’s needed.

And it can make a real difference in the quality and outcome of your interview.

Have you downloaded our app? You can save 10% on any of our services when you book through the app (discounts have already been applied).

IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/waypoint-immigration-usa/id6791800148
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.base69fb49dce137902eb7fa2b3e.app

10/13/2026

DHS has proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period for H-1B workers (and other employment-based visa holders), and if you have thoughts about that proposal, now is the time to share.

Under the current rule, workers under certain employment-based visas enjoy a grace period of up to 60 days to find another employer when they lose their job. This also gives the worker time to tie up affairs and make arrangements if they decide to leave the United States.

The new proposal seeks to eliminate that grace period altogether.

If the new rule is finalized, losing your job could mean losing your status immediately unless you already have another basis to lawfully remain in the U.S., and that’s a significant change that could create real challenges for people who have just lost their job.

Just factoring in the amount of time it can take to apply, interview, and complete the immigration process with a new employer would make that kind of “pivot” difficult, if not impossible to achieve.

But it’s not a rule yet.

DHS is accepting public comments on the proposal through November 10, 2026. If you want to make your voice heard, you can do so at the government’s rule-making website: https://www.regulations.gov/.

Reference DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0364.

10/10/2026

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against the new "fixed duration" rule that DHS created to replace Duration of Status for F-1 students. DHS has appealed this injunction, but the case is still active while the appeal plays out.

We break down these developments, what the injunction means, and where the litigation goes from here.

Read our latest update below. 👇

A judge has blocked the change to Duration of Status rule. DHS has appealed. Here's what happens next.

10/08/2026

The Trump administration has suspended Microsoft, Adobe, and other tech companies from the PERM labor certification program. This program is an important step in the employer-sponsored green card process, and is most commonly associated with next steps for the future once someone is on an H-1B visa.

JD Vance announced the suspension and accused the companies of fraud, pointing to both the number of layoffs vs. PERM applications and the PERM requirements of posting job opportunities in local newspapers.

It is worth noting the the requirements for PERM certification specifically mandate companies to post jobs in local newspapers. It's also not clear how his layoff vs. application numbers were calculated nor whether they compared similar job positions over a specific period of time.

This ban applies to new applications as well as those already pending.

What does this mean for the H-1B going forward? There are still plenty of unanswered questions. We’ll keep you posted as new developments emerge.

You can read the full story on TechCrunch here: https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/08/us-bars-microsoft-adobe-and-major-it-firms-from-green-card-program-for-skilled-foreign-workers/

The other firms being suspended from the program include Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro.

10/05/2026

F-1 students may need to apply for an extension of status more often under the new rules.

Students in longer programs, such as PhD programs that extend beyond their authorized stay, may need to file for additional time to complete their studies. Extensions may also be needed when moving from a bachelor's program to a master's program or pursuing OPT or STEM OPT.

09/23/2026

It’s official: the new Waypoint Immigration app is here! 🎉

We built the app around one simple idea: wherever you are in your immigration journey, we want you to have the information, resources, and support you need to keep moving forward.

Now, more of Waypoint is available right at your fingertips.

From the app, you can:

• Schedule and manage consultations
• Explore our immigration services
• Browse the Waypoint blog
• Download our in-depth immigration guides
• Find answers to common immigration questions
• Connect with our team and access helpful resources

And of course, Waypoint AI is available if you have questions along the way!

Maybe you’re just beginning to explore your options. Maybe you’re ready to pursue a specific visa pathway. Or maybe you’re already well into the immigration process and need guidance as things progress.

Wherever you are, the Waypoint app gives you one strategic place to start, plus an easier way to stay connected to the support you need as your journey evolves.

We’re excited to officially launch the app today, and even more excited to continue finding new ways to support you throughout your immigration journey!

Use one of the QR codes below to download the app (IOS and Android).

06/05/2026

It's no secret that your profile is the foundation to a strong EB-1A submission.

But what makes a good profile?

We'll answer that question in our next online workshop, by exploring some of the biggest red flags in the profile building process, and we'll talk about how to avoid them.

When: Thursday, June 11th @ 7:30 PM EST

Visit our website to reserve your seat: https://www.waypointimmigration.org/workshop-registration

06/04/2026

Last call!

Our "Planning the Full Immigration Pathway for Tech Professionals" workshop starts in just a few hours.

Worried about...
- layoffs?
- timelines?
- burnout?
- backlogs?
- lottery caps?

This is a great opportunity to gain insights that will help you navigate the tech/immigration landscape and figure out your next move.

I hope to see you there! Save your seat here: https://www.waypointimmigration.org/workshop-registration