Ayoub & Associates, PC

06/15/2026

⚖️ BREAKING: $100K H-1B Fee Ruled Unlawful — But It's Still Being Collected

On June 8, 2026, a Massachusetts federal court struck down the $100,000 supplemental H-1B fee, ruling it unconstitutional and a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

The judge ordered the policy vacated — meaning USCIS could no longer collect the fee nationwide.

But here's where it gets complicated 👇

The White House immediately signaled it would appeal. By June 11, the government filed a notice of appeal to the First Circuit. On June 12, they requested an emergency stay of the ruling.
The court denied the stay on the merits — but granted an administrative stay, allowing the government to KEEP collecting the fee at least until June 18, 2026, while the First Circuit considers the matter.

📌 Where things stand now:
This is actually the SECOND court ruling on this fee. A D.C. federal court previously found the fee LAWFUL in December 2025 — and that case is also on appeal. A third lawsuit in California is still pending.

Translation: This issue is far from settled. Courts are split, appeals are flying, and employers and petitioners are caught in the middle.
We're watching this closely and will keep you updated as the First Circuit weighs in.

06/10/2026

🚨 New Option for B-1/B-2 Visa Applicants: Expedited Interview Appointments

The U.S. Department of State has issued a temporary final rule creating a $750 fee for expedited B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa interview appointments.

Here's what you need to know:
📅 Effective: July 1 – December 31, 2026
💵 Fee: $750 (optional, separate from standard visa fees)
⚡ Benefit: Secures an interview appointment within 10 business days at select consular posts

If you've been waiting months for a visitor or business visa interview, this option may help fast-track your appointment.

06/09/2026

🏛️ NEW ASYLUM OFFICE IN SAN ANTONIO!

USCIS has officially opened an additional Asylum Office location in San Antonio, Texas — and it directly affects clients in our area.

📅 Effective May 28, 2026, individuals who filed for asylum with USCIS and live within the Houston Asylum Office's jurisdiction may now be interviewed at either:
✅ The Houston Asylum Office
✅ The San Antonio Asylum Office

If you have a pending asylum case, this means your interview location could change. It's more important than ever to keep your contact information up to date with USCIS and to be prepared.

Call now to connect with business.

06/08/2026

⚖️ BREAKING: Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100K H-1B Fee

A Massachusetts federal judge has ruled that the $100,000 H-1B visa fee imposed by the Trump administration is an unauthorized tax — and has vacated it in its entirety.

Judge Leo T. Sorokin found that the Immigration and Nationality Act does not give the President the power to impose a tax of this nature without Congressional authorization. The fee had been applied to new H-1B petitions, creating a significant financial burden for employers who sponsor foreign national workers.

This is a major win for businesses and H-1B petitioners — but appeals are expected, and the situation remains fluid. We are closely monitoring further developments and will continue to keep our clients informed.

06/08/2026

🚨 BREAKING: Federal Court Strikes Down Unlawful USCIS Processing Holds — What This Means for You
On June 5, 2026, a federal court in Rhode Island ruled that USCIS was using unlawful policies to delay immigration applications for nationals of the 39 travel ban countries. The court ordered those policies stopped immediately.

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: This ruling does NOT strike down the travel ban itself. The travel ban for all 39 countries remains in effect. What changed is that USCIS can no longer keep eligible applicants stuck in administrative limbo without legal justification.

Who may be affected:
✅ Adjustment of Status (green card) applicants from travel ban countries
✅ Asylum applicants held up by unauthorized delay policies
✅ Other immigration benefit applicants facing unexplained processing holds

What to watch for:
🔹 The government may appeal or seek a stay of this ruling
🔹 USCIS could introduce new procedures to replace the old ones
🔹 A 180-day travel ban review is expected in late June 2026 — the country list could change
🔹 This ruling's outcome on appeal is not yet certain

If your case has been stuck, this development could matter — but every situation is different. The best step you can take right now is to speak with an experienced immigration attorney who can review your specific case.

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

06/06/2026

06/01/2026

TPS UPDATE: Lebanon | Effective May 28 – November 27, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has automatically extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Lebanon for six months, through November 27, 2026.
What this means for you:
✅ Existing TPS Lebanon holders keep their status through Nov. 27, 2026
✅ Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are automatically valid through Nov. 27, 2026
✅ No new filing is required at this time
Why was it automatic? Under federal law, if the DHS Secretary does not make a determination on a country's TPS designation at least 60 days before expiration, it is automatically extended by six months. Due to rapidly evolving conditions in Lebanon, Secretaries Noem and Mullin were unable to meet the March 28, 2026 deadline.
⚠️ Important: You must still meet all TPS eligibility requirements to benefit from this extension.
If you have questions about your TPS status or employment authorization, contact our office today. We're here to help.

05/31/2026