Law Office of Young Ah Ri, P.C.

08/24/2026

[Court Strikes Down 75-Country Immigrant Visa Ban]

On August 21, 2026, a federal court struck down the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries, holding that the blanket nationality-based policy violated federal immigration law and exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority.

In Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. v. Rubio, decided August 21, 2026, Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York vacated the Department of State policy, which had directed consular officers to refuse immigrant visas to nationals of 75 designated countries based on concerns that applications from those countries posed a heightened risk of becoming a public charge. The policy applied even where a consular officer had determined, after an individualized review, that the applicant was not likely to become a public charge and was otherwise eligible for the visa.

The court emphasized that immigrant visa refusals must be based on a specific legal ground of ineligibility. It also relied on 8 U.S.C. § 1152(a)(1)(A), which prohibits discrimination in immigrant visa issuance based on nationality, race, s*x, place of birth, or place of residence, subject to statutory exceptions.

The decision distinguishes this case from Trump v. Hawaii. Unlike restrictions on entry or admission into the US, the 75-country policy directly restricted visa issuance, an area where Congress expressly prohibited nationality-based discrimination. As Judge Vargas explained, the INA draws an important distinction between admission and visa issuance.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

The court vacated the 75-country policy in its entirety. It also set aside immigrant visa refusals that were based solely on that policy, meaning those applications must be reconsidered under the ordinary immigration laws rather than categorically refused because of the applicant’s nationality.

Applicants can no longer be refused an immigrant visa solely because of the 75-country policy. However, the ruling does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants may still be subject to other grounds of inadmissibility or visa refusal.

The ruling also does not invalidate the separate national-security restrictions currently affecting nationals of 39 countries under Presidential Proclamation 10998. Those restrictions remain in effect, so applicants from affected countries may continue to face restrictions on visa issuance.

The decision is an important reminder that, even where executive authority over immigration is broad, the government must follow the statutory limits Congress has placed on the immigrant visa process. For applicants affected by the 75-country suspension, the ruling restores the right to have their immigrant visa eligibility evaluated under the individualized standards established by the INA.

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08/24/2026

[USCIS Updates Public Charge Guidance]

USCIS has published updated guidance regarding how it will evaluate the public charge ground of inadmissibility.

The new rule takes effect September 18, 2026, and will apply to adjustment of status applications (Form I-485) filed on or after that date.
Understanding the Updated Guidance

The public charge assessment determines whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge. The public charge ground does not apply to all adjustment applications; certain categories are exempt, including certain refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Juveniles, T and U nonimmigrants, VAWA self-petitioners, and other humanitarian or special immigrant categories.

The new rule rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations and gives USCIS officers broader discretion to consider the totality of applicant’s circumstances, including:
Age
Health
Family status
Assets, resources, and financial situation
Education and skills

The Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, when applicable
Other relevant information, including certain public benefits
No single factor will necessarily determine the outcome. In certain cases, USCIS may give the applicant an opportunity to post a public charge bond.

What This Means for Applicants

Public charge determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the totality of each applicant’s circumstances.

Individuals who may be affected by the new rule and are eligible to file for adjustment of status before September 18 should consult with immigration counsel regarding the timing of their filing.

Our office will continue to monitor these developments and provide additional information as USCIS implements the new guidance.

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08/24/2026

[Court Blocks Proposed $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee]

A recent federal court decision, State of California et al. v. Markwayne Mullin et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-13829, has provided important guidance for employers and foreign national workers navigating the H-1B process.

On June 8, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts invalidated a policy that would have required a $100,000 payment in connection with certain H-1B visa filings. The court held that the proposed fee exceeded the government’s legal authority, effectively constituting an unauthorized “tax,” which cannot be imposed without congressional approval. The court further concluded that the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act, finding that the agency went beyond its statutory authority and that the rule was arbitrary and capricious in its implementation.

As a result, USCIS is currently prohibited from collecting the proposed $100,000 payment, and H-1B petitions may continue to be filed under the existing fee structure.

While this decision is welcome news for many employers and H-1B beneficiaries, the litigation is likely to continue. The government is expected to appeal the ruling and may seek a temporary stay that would reinstate the fee requirement while the appeal is pending.

For now, employers with pending or upcoming H-1B cases may continue preparing and filing petitions under the current regulations. As with many immigration-related developments, staying informed and acting promptly can help minimize uncertainty and avoid unnecessary delays.

Our firm will continue to monitor this matter closely and provide updates as they become available.

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05/22/2026

[USCIS Issues New Adjustment of Status Guidance]

On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued a new policy memorandum discussing how officers should evaluate Adjustment of Status applications. This memo emphasizes that Adjustment of Status is a discretionary benefit and confirms that officers may continue considering the totality of the circumstances in each case.

Importantly, this memorandum does not appear to create a new statutory basis for denial or eliminate existing eligibility categories for Adjustment of Status. Much of the memo reflects longstanding legal principles and prior case law already recognized in immigration practice.

However, the policy may signal a broader emphasis on discretionary review and could result in increased scrutiny in certain cases, particularly those involving immigration history, status compliance, or credibility complications. Because the practical impact of this guidance will depend heavily on how USCIS officers apply it in adjudications, its full applicability remains unclear at this time.

This is breaking guidance, and we will continue updating this post as more information becomes available.

05/22/2026

[USCIS Strengthens Screening and Vetting: What Applicants Need to Know]

On March 30, 2026, USCIS announced a series of expanded screening and vetting measures following recent executive actions, including Executive Order 14161 and Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998. These changes aim to enhance national security and increase scrutiny in case adjudications.

USCIS has implemented more rigorous and strict review protocols, particularly for individuals from countries subject to heightened security concerns. This shift may affect a range of filings, including asylum applications, certain adjustment of status cases, and matters involving national of designated countries.

USCIS has explained its expanded vetting tools and procedures. In practice, these enhancements may include more frequent background checks, increased use of biometric verification, a greater review of publicly available information, such as social media, and additional interviews as part of the adjudication process.

USCIS has stated that these efforts will continue, with a focus on strengthening the integrity of the immigration system, preventing fraud, and ensuring that all applicants are thoroughly vetted before receiving immigration benefits. However, although these developments may result in longer processing times for certain cases, they do not indicate an automatic denial in any individual case. During this time, USCIS will continue to issue receipt notices, schedule biometrics appointments, and perform background checks.

05/22/2026

[Impact of Recent U.S. Immigration Restrictions and Security Review Delays]

Recent U.S. immigration policy changes may affect processing times for some applicants. Presidential Proclamation 10949 (June 2025) and Presidential Proclamation 10998 (December 2025) introduced expanded security review procedures for nationals of certain countries. These measures were implemented to address national security concerns and may result in longer processing times for some immigration applications.

What Is Happening

The proclamations place restrictions on visa issuance and entry to the United States for nationals of certain countries identified as having limited security-screening cooperation.

In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued internal policy guidance directing officers to temporarily hold final decisions on certain applications while additional security reviews are conducted, as outlined in USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0192 and USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194.

During this time, normal processing steps such as receipt notices, biometrics appointments, and background checks may still occur. However, final adjudication may be delayed until the security review process is completed.
It is important to note that these holds are agency-wide operational measures. They do not mean that an application has been denied or that there is a specific issue with a particular case.

What This Means for Applicants

Nationals of affected countries may experience:
Longer processing times while additional security checks are completed
Delays in certain immigration benefits, including Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), Employment Authorization (Form I-765), and Advance Parole (Form I-131)
Additional background review procedures as part of the government’s screening process

Although delays can be frustrating, they are part of a broader policy affecting many applications and do not necessarily reflect a problem with an individual case.

Countries Affected

The proclamations apply to nationals of a number of countries across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. Some countries face broader entry restrictions, while others are subject to more limited visa-related measures. A full list of the affected countries can be found here.

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Immigration policies continue to evolve, and new guidance can affect how applications are processed. While these additional security reviews may create delays for some applicants, they do not determine the outcome of a case.

Our firm continues to monitor policy developments closely. If you have questions about how these changes may affect your immigration application, please contact us.

09/25/2025

[USCIS Announces Implementation of the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test]

September 18, 2025 –U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the rollout of the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test, which reintroduces the framework of the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test with certain updates.

The updated test continues to focus on the fundamentals of American history as well as the principles and structure of the U.S. government. Importantly, there are no changes to the English language portion of the naturalization exam.

Key Dates:
• Effective Date: September 18, 2025
• Application Cutoff: Applicants who file for naturalization on or after October 20, 2025 will be required to take the new 2025 Civics Test.

The official notice was published in the Federal Register at 90 FR 45047 (Sept. 18, 2025).

06/13/2025

[Travel Ban Issued for 19 Countries]

On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation imposing a new travel ban to take effect on June 9, 2025. This nationality-based proclamation suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance for citizens from the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, for nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, the proclamation suspends issuance of immigrant visas, as well as nonimmigrant visa issuance in the B, F, M, and J classifications.

The proclamation outlines certain exceptions. The ban does not apply to the following categories of travelers:

- Foreign nationals who are in the United States on June 9, 2025, regardless of their immigration status;

- Foreign nationals who have a valid visa in any category as of June 9, 2025;

- S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders);

- Dual nationals of a country designated in the proclamation when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country;

- Those applying for immediate relative family-based immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship (e.g., DNA);

- Any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, those performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State;

- Any foreign national traveling with a valid nonimmigrant visa in the following classifications: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO‑2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6;

- Those apply for the following visa types: adoption (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4); Afghan Special Immigrant Visas; Special Immigrant Visas for United States Government employees; and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran;

- Those whose travel is deemed to advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice as determined by the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security; and

- Those whose travel is deemed to serve a U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

There will be a periodic review of the list of travel ban countries to assess whether the restrictions should be continued, modified, suspended, or supplemented.

05/07/2025

[USCIS To Stop Communicating with SSA]

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer be communicating with the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding issuance of social security numbers after approvals of employment authorization documents (EADs). Previously, USCIS automatically sent applicants’ information to the SSA, which would then issue a social security number without requiring a separate application. USCIS will also no longer notify the SSA to update an individual’s status following naturalization.

Moving forward, individuals who have an approved EAD application and do not already have a social security number will need to apply for one at their local office. Similarly, individuals who become citizens will need to visit their local office to update their citizenship status with the SSA. This change aligns with a broader trend of revising inter-agency communications. Applicants can use the Online Social Security Number Application Process (oSSNAP) to complete their application and schedule an appointment.

12/05/2024

[Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record Now Required to Be Submitted Together with Form I-485]

In an effort to increase efficiency and reduce the number of Requests for Evidence issued, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on December 2, 2024 that it now requires Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to be submitted together with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust status, for certain applicants.

Medical examinations conducted by an approved civil surgeon are generally required from applicants for adjustment of status in order to show that such applicants are not rendered ineligible under the health-related grounds of inadmissibility. Effective immediately, if an applicant is required to submit Form I-693 or a partial Form I-693 (e.g. Vaccination Record), it must be submitted together with Form I-485. If Form I-485 is filed without Form I-693, it may be rejected by USCIS.