Tenorio Law, PC

05/23/2026

USCIS just released a new policy memo that could significantly impact both employment-based and family-based green card cases filed through adjustment of status inside the U.S.

In simple terms, USCIS is reminding officers that getting a green card through adjustment of status is not a right and not the default path. It is described as “extraordinary” relief and a matter of discretion. Officers are being nudged to view consular processing abroad as the normal route, and to look closely at issues like status violations, overstays, unauthorized work, and decisions to stay in the U.S. instead of pursuing consular processing. Even if a person is technically eligible, officers now have clearer cover to deny on discretion.

This matters a lot for employment-based and family-based applicants who are counting on staying in the U.S. to complete their green card process. The strength of their equities, their immigration history, and how well their case is documented and framed will be more important than ever.

If you (or your employee or family member) are planning to file, or have already filed, an employment-based or family-based adjustment of status case, now is the time to get a risk review. Contact our office to discuss how this memo could affect your specific situation, what red flags an officer may see in your history, and how to strategically position your case before filing, or before attending an interview.

USCIS is applying long-standing law and prior court decisions to require certain aliens with temporary visas who decide they want to permanently reside in the U.S. to return to their home countries to apply for permanent visas through the U.S. Department of State.

We're returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly.

Here’s what you should know: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-will-grant-adjustment-of-status-only-in-extraordinary

04/01/2026

New U.S. Embassy alert: even more visa applicants now face expanded social media screening including F, M, J students, H-1B/H-4, fiancé(e), religious workers, domestic workers, and certain humanitarian visas. All applicants must set profiles to public and list every social media handle used in the last 5 years, or risk visa denial or future ineligibility.

If you have upcoming visa plans, now is the time to review your online presence and get personalized legal guidance before you apply. Send us a message to schedule a consultation.

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants

https://ph.usembassy.gov/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-visa-applicants/

Effective March 30, in addition to Students and Exchanges (F, M, and J), and Specialty Occupations (H-1B and their H-4 dependents), the following visa applicants, regardless of age, must also now change their privacy settings and profiles to “public” on all social media platforms to complete the visa process.

·Fiancé(e) Visa Applicants (K-1, K-2, and K-3 visas).
·Certain Personal Employees or Domestic Workers (A-3, C-3, and G-5 visas)
·Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitors (H-3 and their H-4 dependents)
·Cultural and Religious Visitors (Q, R-1, and R-2 visas)
· Informant, Witness, and Victims of Crimes (S, T, and U visas)

The U.S. Embassy uses this information to determine applicants’ eligibility to receive a visa. Since 2019, the United States has required visa applicants to provide social media usernames on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms.

Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames, handles, or identifiers for every platform they have used in the last 5 years on the visa application form. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.

03/10/2026

Reminder on Security Requirements for Consular Visitors
https://ph.usembassy.gov/reminder-on-security-requirements-for-consular-visitors/

In keeping with established security policy, visa applicants and American Citizens Services (ACS) customers are not allowed to bring any electronic devices (including cell phones), luggage, or bags to their consular appointments at the embassy or consular agency. Applicants and ACS customers are permitted one small purse (5" x 9" or 13cm x 23cm), a small document holder (12" x 12" or 31cm x 31cm), and/or items required for the care of infants or reasonable medical accommodations.

All visitors to the embassy and consular agency are subject to airport-type screening. When planning your visit, bring only what is needed for your consular appointment to speed security screening. All items are subject to inspection. We do not have storage facilities at the embassy.

We appreciate your cooperation in making your visit to the embassy as smooth as possible.
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For further information and assistance:
• See the State Department’s travel website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html) for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Philippines.html).
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (step.state.gov) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines, located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, at +(63) (2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63) (2) 5301-2000.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

12/07/2025

Welcome to the official page of Philippine Honorary Consul Audie J. de Castro, the official representative of the Philippines.

08/02/2025

Updated Interview Requirement for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will update the categories of visa applicants that may be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa interview waiver. All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will require an in-person interview with a consular officer except:

- Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card within 12 months of their prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old;
- Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and
- Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, NATO, TECRO, and certain C-3 and G.

Please visit our website at ph.usembassy.gov/visas/ for updated information about visa application requirements or contact us at ph.usembassy.gov/contact-us-visas/ if you have questions.

08/01/2025

If you have upcoming travel or plan to renew your visa, prepare ahead to avoid delays. Schedule your appointments early, as interview wait times may increase.

Starting September 2, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants in most visa categories, including those who are renewing, will be required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer. For more information, visit our website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/interview-waiver-update-july-25-2025.html

01/24/2025

Courtesy of aclu_nationwide

10/24/2024

Canadian L-1B application at Peace Bridge CBP approved! So happy about this because I wasn’t sure that we had enough documents. The company/petitioner was kind of stingy in providing corporate documents for reasons of confidentiality. After a thorough virtual briefing with the applicant and weeks of email exchanges, we made it!

04/05/2024

Medical examinations properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023 are now valid indefinitely.