Velie Law Firm

09/01/2026

USCIS ALERT: New Form I-864 Released WITH NO GRACE PERIOD

USCIS has officially published a new edition of Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) dated 08/24/26, effective August 31, 2026.
Unlike standard form updates, there is ZERO grace period. If your Adjustment of Status (I-485) packet is postmarked or filed electronically using the old edition (10/17/24), USCIS will reject it outright.

🚨 What Changed?
Credit Report Authorization: The new edition adds a mandatory privacy release (Part 8) authorizing USCIS and the Department of State to pull consumer and credit reports directly to evaluate the sponsor’s financial sufficiency.
Sister Forms Updated: Forms I-864A and I-864EZ have also been updated to the 08/24/26 edition and require immediate compliance.

👥 Who Does This Affect?
Anyone currently preparing or submitting an Adjustment of Status (I-485) application.
Family-based green card applicants and joint/household sponsors submitting Form I-864, I-864A, or I-864EZ.

📋 Your Immediate Next Steps:
Check the Bottom of Your Form: Look at the edition date on the bottom left corner. It MUST read 08/24/26.
Re-Download & Re-Sign: If you haven't mailed your package yet, download the latest version from USCIS.gov, fill it out, and sign it again before sending.
Check Credit Freezes: If you or your joint sponsor have a credit or security freeze placed on your credit profile, be prepared to lift it. USCIS must be able to access your report to assess sufficiency.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts where we dive deeper into the exact credit report requirements and how to protect your application!

📩 Don't Let a Form Rejection Set Your Case Back Months!
If you're unsure whether your Adjustment of Status package is fully compliant, our legal team is here to help you navigate these sudden updates seamlessly.
🌐 Website: www.velielaw.com
📞 Phone: 1-405-310-4333
📧 Email: [email protected]

08/28/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT CITIZENSHIP NOTICE: USCIS MAY NOW CONTACT YOUR NEIGHBORS AND WORKPLACE

If you are waiting for U.S. citizenship or plan to apply soon, you need to know about a major policy change that took effect on August 25, 2026.

USCIS has officially ended the general waiver of “neighborhood investigations” for citizenship applicants under Policy Alert PA-2026-10.

This is a significant reversal. Immigration officials largely abandoned these investigations by 1991, relying instead on FBI criminal-history checks and other security screenings for more than three decades. USCIS is now bringing community-level investigations back into the citizenship process.

What could happen?
USCIS may investigate an applicant’s home and workplace communities, including contacting neighbors, coworkers, employers, business associates, or others who know the applicant. These investigations may be used to verify residence, employment, good moral character, loyalty to the United States, and other citizenship requirements.

Who is affected?
The guidance applies immediately to both pending N-400 applications and new filings. However, this does not mean every applicant will automatically be investigated. USCIS has discretion to waive the investigation based on the individual case—or potentially for certain categories of cases.

What should applicants do?

• Consider Reference Letters: Applicants may voluntarily provide character-reference letters, preferably from U.S. citizens who are not family members. USCIS may consider these letters when deciding whether to waive an investigation.

• Review Your Immigration History: Addresses, employment dates, travel, and other information should be reviewed carefully for accuracy and consistency with previous immigration filings. Any discrepancies should be identified and properly explained.

• Prepare the Case Strategically: Working with an experienced immigration lawyer can help applicants present a thorough, well-documented case that supports eligibility and gives USCIS a clear basis to exercise its discretion to waive the neighborhood investigation.

These investigations add another layer of review and will likely cause significant processing delays, particularly when USCIS decides that additional investigation is necessary.

📞 Protect your citizenship application before your interview.

Don't leave your case to chance under these stricter rules. Contact Velie Law Firm today to review your N-400 filing, prepare strategic character evidence, and ensure your immigration history is bulletproof.

🌐 Website: www.velielaw.com
📞 Phone: 1-405-310-4333
✉️ Email: [email protected]

📩 Send this to anyone who is currently waiting for a citizenship interview or preparing to file an N-400.



Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice.

08/27/2026

🚨 A $103,265 Price Tag on the H-1B Program?
The Trump administration has proposed a new $103,265 fee for every cap-subject H-1B petition—on top of the normal government filing fees.

Unlike the administration’s previous $100,000 payment requirement, which targeted certain workers outside the United States, this proposal would apply to all new cap-subject H-1B petitions. That includes international students already in the United States seeking to change from F-1 to H-1B status.

The proposal would not generally apply to cap-exempt petitions, extensions, amendments, or transfers involving workers who have already been counted against the H-1B cap.

Even more alarming, DHS states that if the previous $100,000 payment is reinstated and extended, an employer subject to both requirements could be forced to pay more than $200,000 for a single H-1B petition—before ordinary filing fees.

⚠️ This is only a proposed rule and is not currently in effect. DHS must accept public comments and issue a final rule before it can begin collecting the new fee.
If finalized, this proposal could effectively price small businesses, startups, and many other employers out of the H-1B program altogether.

📞 Questions about how changing H-1B rules may affect your case?
Contact Velie Law Firm at 405-310-4333 or [email protected].

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice.

08/26/2026

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Ended for Ethiopia!

As of August 18, 2026, the U.S. government officially terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Ethiopia.

This update comes after a federal court lifted a temporary stay that had previously paused the termination.

📍 What Does This Mean for Affected Individuals?
• Work Authorization Invalidation: Employment Authorization Documents (EADs, or work permits) issued under TPS categories A12 or C19 for Ethiopian beneficiaries are no longer valid.
• Employer Reverification: U.S. employers are required to reverify the work authorization of any employee who previously presented a TPS Ethiopia work permit. To continue working legally, affected individuals must show proof of another valid, unexpired employment authorization.
• Impacted Work Permits: This affects EADs with original expiration dates of June 12, 2024, or December 12, 2025.

❓ What Should Affected Individuals Do Next?
If you or a loved one were previously protected under TPS for Ethiopia, it is critical to explore whether you qualify for other forms of legal protection or work authorization (such as asylum, employment-based visas, or family-based options).

If you need guidance on your legal status or work authorization options, our immigration team is here to assist:
🌐 Website: www.onlinevisas.com
📞 Phone: 1-405-310-4333
✉️ Email: [email protected]

*Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice.

08/25/2026

Strict New Rules for Asylum Interviews!

Effective August 21, 2026, USCIS has updated its interview rules for affirmative asylum applicants.

📍 1. Rescheduling & Missed Interviews

Exceptional Circumstances Required: You must prove "exceptional circumstances" to reschedule your interview.

No Warning Notices: USCIS will no longer send warning notices if you miss your date.

Consequences of a Missed Interview: If you miss your interview and do not submit a rescheduling request before or within 10 days after the missed date:

• With Legal Status: Your asylum application may be dismissed.

• Without Legal Status: Your case may be referred to an Immigration Judge.

• On Parole: Your parole may be terminated, and your case referred to an Immigration Judge.

📄 2. Form I-589 Filing Key Points
• 1-Year Deadline: You must file Form I-589 within 1 year of arrival in the U.S.

• Dependents: You can include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 as dependents.

• Online Filing Restrictions: You must file by mail if you are an unaccompanied minor in proceedings, required to file with the Asylum Vetting Center, or already have a pending Form I-589.

❓ Need Legal Assistance?
If you need help requesting an interview reschedule or navigating your pending asylum case, contact our team:

• 🌐 Website: www.velielaw.com

• 📞 Phone: 1-405-310-4333

• ✉️ Email: [email protected]

*Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice.

08/24/2026

⚖️ MAJOR IMMIGRATION COURT RULING ⚖️
President Trump’s ban on immigrants from 75 countries that the administration labeled “high-risk for U.S. public benefits reliance” has been struck down.
The policy had halted immigrant visa issuance for nationals of those countries based on concerns that they might become dependent on public benefits—regardless of their individual circumstances. In the landmark decision CLINIC v. Rubio, a federal court ruled that the ban was unlawful and exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority.

3 Things You Need to Know:
1️⃣ Visa Refusals Set Aside: Immigrant visa refusals based solely on the 75-country policy have been vacated.
2️⃣ Individual Reviews Restored: Consular officers must resume case-by-case evaluations of each applicant’s personal qualifications and circumstances.
3️⃣ No Blanket Nationality-Based Refusals: Applicants cannot be denied immigrant visas solely because they are nationals of one of the 75 countries.

Who Does This Impact?
This ruling may affect family-based and employment-based green card applicants from the 75 designated countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

⚠️ Important: This decision does not affect the separate 39-country travel ban. That ban remains in effect at this time.

If you or a family member had an immigrant visa affected by the 75-country policy, our team is here to help you understand your next steps.
📧 [email protected]
📞 1-405-310-4333

08/19/2026

🚨 USCIS Is Changing the Green Card Application—Again
USCIS has announced that it will release a new edition of Form I-485, the application used to apply for a green card from inside the United States.

Beginning September 18, 2026, applicants must use the new edition of Form I-485. USCIS will reject older editions filed on or after that date—there will be no grace period.

This announcement comes immediately after major changes to Forms I-539 and I-765, which will also require new editions beginning September 15.

The revised I-485 reflects the new public-charge rule announced yesterday, which gives immigration officers broader authority to consider an applicant’s finances, health, education, skills, and use of certain public benefits.

⚠️ With USCIS changing several forms at once, it is more important than ever to check the edition date immediately before filing. Using an outdated form could cause your entire application package to be rejected.

📞 Questions about how these changes could affect your immigration application? Contact Velie Law Firm at 405-310-4333 or [email protected].

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice.

08/18/2026

🚨 USCIS Brings Back a Wealth Test for Immigrants
Beginning September 18, 2026, USCIS will have greater power to decide whether someone applying for a green card is likely to need government assistance in the future.

Under this expanded “public charge” rule, officers may examine the applicant’s:
• Income, savings, assets, and debts
• Age and health
• Employment history, education, and job skills
• Family and household circumstances
• Use of certain government benefits
• Financial sponsor and Affidavit of Support

⚠️ The new rule removes many of the limits established in 2022 and gives immigration officers broader discretion. This could mean greater scrutiny for applicants with lower incomes, medical conditions, limited employment histories, or past use of public assistance.

If USCIS decides an applicant is likely to become a public charge, it may require the applicant to post a public-charge bond instead of denying the green card. USCIS is not required to offer this option. If a bonded immigrant later receives a means-tested public benefit while the bond is active, the government may declare the bond breached and keep the entire amount.

Receiving benefits does not automatically prevent someone from getting a green card. Benefits received by a U.S.-citizen child or another family member are not automatically counted against the applicant, and certain humanitarian applicants remain exempt.

📅 The new standard generally applies to adjustment-of-status applications filed on or after September 18, 2026.

This policy sends a troubling message: the opportunity to build a life in the United States may increasingly depend on an immigrant’s wealth, health, and financial circumstances.

If you are preparing to apply for a green card, speak with an experienced immigration attorney about how these changes may affect your case.

📧 [email protected]
📞 405-310-4333

08/17/2026

⚠️ CRITICAL USCIS UPDATE: Major changes are coming for international students and temporary visa holders!
Starting September 15, USCIS is releasing mandatory new editions for two essential forms:
📄 Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status)
📄 Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization / OPT)

🚨 The Catch? There is ZERO grace period. If you submit or postmark the old version of either form on or after September 15, USCIS will reject it immediately.

❓ WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? This update implements the Department of Homeland Security's major policy shift ending "Duration of Status" (D/S) for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and media representatives.
1. Under the old rule: Students were allowed to remain in the US for as long as they maintained their studies, marked as "D/S" on their I-94.
2. Under the new rule: Students are now granted a fixed time period of stay (up to a 4-year maximum cap).
3. What that means for you: If you need more time to finish your degree, change majors, or start OPT, you can no longer just update your school records, you must formally file an Extension of Stay with USCIS using these updated forms!

💡 WHAT YOU NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW:
1. Check Your Filing Date: If submitting on or after Sept. 15, verify that your form carries the 09/15/26 edition date.
2. Track Your Expiration: Watch your I-94 "Admit Until Date" closely missing an extension deadline can jeopardize your lawful status!
3. Avoid Rejections: Don't let an outdated form delay your OPT work authorization or student status.

With over 30 years helping international students and professionals navigate US immigration laws, our team is here to ensure your status stays protected.

📞 Questions about your student status or OPT filing? Reach out today!

🌐 Website: www.onlinevisas.com
📞 Phone: 1-405-310-4333
✉️ Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice.

05/15/2026