H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

April 4, 2025

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – 4/4/25

MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

I was not chosen in the lottery process for FY2026 with H-1B employment to start 10/01/2025. My current OPT expires in July 2025. I graduated with a master’s degree in computer science. What are my options?

Generally, a U.S. degree in Computer Science would be classified as a STEM degree. You should consult your Designated School Official (DSO) and carefully review your I-20 form against the ICE STEM Degree Field list to determine if you are eligible for a STEM OPT. A STEM OPT would provide an additional 24 months of work authorization allowing you additional opportunities to submit a registration under the H-1B CAP registration process. To qualify for STEM OPT, your employer would need to be enrolled in E-Verify and also willing to enter into a Training Agreement with you.

April 3, 2025

CBP Electronic Device Searches at U.S. Ports of Entry – What You Need to Know!

by Kellie N. Lego

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is providing a simple client flyer to help you understand what you need to know about electronic device searches now occurring at U.S. ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices including phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices of anyone entering the U.S., including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. This client flyer explains types of searches and gives you steps to protect your electronic data at the U.S. border!

For more information, please read the AILA Client Flyer (posted copy – www.gc.cuny.edu) , “Electronic Device Searches at U.S. Ports of Entry: What You Need to Know“!

Source of Information:

April 2, 2025

AIC suing Trump Admin over Requirement That Immigrants Register

by Kellie N. Lego

On March 31, 2025, the American Immigration Council (AIC) and several partner organizations announced they are filing a lawsuit suing the Trump Administration over their requirement that immigrants register with the federal government! The AIC’s press release, American Immigration Council Suing Trump Administration Over Unprecedented Requirement That Immigrants Register with the Government states, “The lawsuit challenges a rule published earlier this month by the Trump administration, which requires millions of people to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration with them at all times, or risk federal criminal prosecution.”

For more information, please read the USCIS news alert, “American Immigration Council Suing Trump Administration Over Unprecedented Requirement That Immigrants Register with the Government”!

Source of Information:

April 1, 2025

FY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

by Kellie N. Lego

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Monday, March 31st, that it has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B cap, including the master’s cap. They stated that selections were made randomly from among those applicants that correctly registered. USCIS has notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in selected registration.

For more information, please read the USCIS news alert, “FFY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed”!

Source of Information:

March 31, 2025

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, April 4, 2025

by Kellie N. Lego

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, April 4, 2025. Act now and submit your questions!

March 28, 2025

Update – Visa Bulletin – April 2025

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the April 2025 Visa Bulletin

UPDATE: When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: April 2025

March 27, 2025

Immigration News – Top News Stories – President Trump’s Deportations

by Kellie N. Lego

List of some of the Top News Stories related to President Trump’s Deportations:

USA Today (usatoday.com), 3/23/25:

Immigrant women describe ‘hell on earth’ in ICE detention

March 26, 2025

President Trump’s New Presidential Memoranda Targeting Immigration Lawyers!

by Kellie N. Lego

On March 22, 2025, President Trump published a Presidential Memoranda (PM) on the White House website entitled, “ Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court“! This PM instructs the Attorney General, Pamela Bondi and the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem to prioritize enforcement of their respective regulations governing attorney conduct and discipline. In this memorandum he specifically targets immigration lawyers and law firms. The memo orders sanctions, reviews, and stricter oversight of attorneys in asylum and immigration cases.

For more details and to read the Presidential Memorandum, please review the White House link, “ Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court “!

As a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), we stand with our President, Kelli Stump:

March 25, 2025

USCIS Electronic Reading Room

by Kellie N. Lego

USCIS has an online Electronic Reading Room with access to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requested documents. The Reading Room is really a Web-based searchable database of public requested FOIA documents; mixed with USCIS documents that the government decided may have a larger public demand. You can use pull-downs to choose different listed subjects and include any month/year date from January 2011 to the present. You can also type in your own keywords to search.

Please visit this page for more information: Electronic Reading Room

Reminder – FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period is Open!

by Kellie N. Lego

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 H-1B cap will start Friday, March 7, 2025, and run through March 24, 2025. USCIS stated, “During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary.”

For more details and exact times, review the USCIS News Alert, “FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7“!

Source of Information: