Contreras Law Group, LLC

10/09/2026

On October 7, DOJ announced charges against a naturalized U.S. citizen in New Jersey for allegedly voting in federal elections before becoming a citizen and unlawfully obtaining citizenship.

Prosecutors allege she later falsely stated on her naturalization application that she had never registered to vote or voted in a federal election. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Applying for citizenship? Complete and accurate answers matter. If you have questions about prior voter registration, voting, or information provided on an immigration application, discuss them with an immigration attorney before filing.

Contact Contreras Law Group, LLC to discuss your naturalization application.

10/08/2026

What could this mean for international students?

Read our latest blog.
Contreras Law Group, LLC

DHS has proposed substantial new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows eligible F-1 students to gain work experience related to their degree.

The proposal would require schools to pay $70,000 for initial OPT and $30,000 for subsequent OPT, including qualifying STEM extensions after the initial fee has been paid.

This is a proposed rule. These fees are not currently in effect.

If adopted, the changes could significantly affect international students, universities, and employers. Read our latest blog to learn what is proposed and what to watch next.

10/01/2026

Applying for a TN or TD visa? A new screening policy takes effect today.

Beginning October 1, 2026, the State Department is expanding online-presence review to TN and TD visa applicants and instructing them to make all social-media profiles public or open.

Before your consular appointment, review your application and professional profiles for accurate employment dates, education, and other information. Discuss any conflicting facts with your immigration attorney.

🔗 Read our latest blog to learn what this means for professionals, employers, and families.

Contreras Law Group, LLC

09/24/2026

Check Your Interview Wait

⏳ Waiting for NVC to schedule your immigrant visa interview?

The Department of State's Immigrant Visa Scheduling Status Tool can help you get a better idea of where your case stands.

The tool allows you to select your U.S. embassy or consulate and see what month of documentarily complete cases NVC is currently scheduling.

It includes:

✅ Immediate Relative cases
✅ Family-sponsored preference cases
✅ Employment-based immigrant visa cases

⚠️ The date shown is not a guaranteed interview date. For family and employment preference categories, your priority date must also be current under the Visa Bulletin before an immigrant visa interview can be scheduled.

If your case is documentarily complete and you are still waiting for an interview, this tool may help you better understand the wait at your consulate.

🔗 Read our latest blog to learn how the NVC scheduling process works.

09/22/2026

Important Immigrant Visa Update

The U.S. Department of State has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to resume processing and issuance of immigrant visas and Diversity Visas.

An official DOS cable directs consular posts to immediately resume cases affected by prior visa-issuance pauses.

This is particularly important for:

✅ Family-based immigrant visa applicants
✅ Employment-based green card applicants processing abroad

Applicants whose cases were delayed should continue monitoring communications from the National Visa Center and the U.S. embassy or consulate handling their case.

09/18/2026

🚨 Important Update for Green Card Applicants

New public charge rules took effect on September 18, 2026, bringing important changes for certain individuals applying for permanent residence in the United States.

Under the new framework, USCIS officers have broader discretion to evaluate an applicant’s individual circumstances when making a public charge determination. Factors may include age, health, family status, financial resources, education, and skills.

Importantly, receiving a public benefit does not automatically prevent someone from obtaining a green card, and the public charge ground does not apply to every immigrant or immigration category.

The filing date also matters. The new framework applies to certain applications for admission and adjustment of status filed on or after September 18, 2026.

A revised Form I-485 is also required for adjustment applications filed on or after the effective date.

Please see our blog post to learn more about what changed, who may be affected, and what green card applicants should know.

🔗 https://contreras-lawgroup.com/f/adjustment-of-status

This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

09/17/2026

The Department of Labor has moved a proposed overhaul of the PERM labor certification program into formal White House regulatory review. Please read our blog post for more information.

By: Michele A. Contreras, Esq.

09/16/2026

New H-2A Enforcement Case Highlights the Importance of Recruiter Oversight

The Department of Justice announced charges yesterday against five individuals accused of using the H-2A program to fraudulently obtain visas and exploit foreign workers.

According to DOJ, the alleged scheme included improper recruitment payments, false information about where workers would work and live, confiscation of passports and identification documents, and threats against workers.

For legitimate H-2A employers, this case is an important reminder: using a recruiter does not mean you should stop paying attention to how your workers are being recruited.



Please see our blog post for more information.

By: Michele A. Contreras, Esq.

09/15/2026

🚨 Important Update for International Students

A new DHS rule that would have ended the longstanding “Duration of Status” (D/S) system for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors was scheduled to take effect September 15—but a federal court blocked the rule just one day before its effective date.

For now, Duration of Status remains in place.

What does this mean for international students, universities, and employers that hire F-1 students through OPT and STEM OPT?

Read our latest update to learn what the rule would have changed and what the court's decision means going forward.

👇 Read more:
https://contreras-lawgroup.com/f/court-blocks-%E2%80%9Cduration-of-status%E2%80%9D-rule-for-international-students

By: Michele A. Contreras, Esq.

09/11/2026

🚨 USCIS HAS REACHED THE FY 2027 FIRST-HALF H-2B CAP

USCIS has announced that it received enough petitions to meet the 33,000-visa H-2B cap for the first half of FY 2027.

September 4, 2026, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject petitions requesting employment start dates before April 1, 2027. USCIS will reject cap-subject petitions received after that date.

Petitions received by the deadline will continue through USCIS processing.

Employers may also have options involving cap-exempt H-2B workers already in the United States, depending on the circumstances.

We are continuing to monitor for FY 2027 supplemental visa announcements while actively preparing cases for employers seeking workers for April 1, 2027, and later start dates.