H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

April 15, 2025

Visa Bulletin – May 2025

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the May 2025 Visa Bulletin

The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).

April 14, 2025

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, April 18, 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 18, 2025. Act now and submit your questions!

April 11, 2025

DHS to Begin Screening Aliens’ Social Media Activity for Antisemitism

by Kellie N. Lego

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced-on Thursday, April 9, 2025, they have begun screening aliens (undocumented noncitizens) for any antisemitic activity on social media or harassment of Jewish people as grounds for denying immigration benefits!

The USCIS news release, “DHS to Begin Screening Aliens’ Social Media Activity for Antisemitism”, stated, “Under this guidance, USCIS will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective immediately.”

Source of Information:

April 10, 2025

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2025 – Supplemental Visas are now Available!

by Kellie N. Lego

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, USCIS announced that it has reached the H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year 2025. March 5, 2025, is now the “final receipt date” for cap-subject H-2B worker requesting employment start dates before April 1, 2025. The “final receipt date” is the date on which USCIS determined that it has received enough cap-subject petitions to reach the limit of H-2B workers for the second half FY2025.

For more detailed information about this subject please review the USCIS News Alert, “USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2025 and Filing Dates Now Available for Supplemental Visas“.

The USCIS has included the link to the filing dates for the second half of FY 2025 Supplemental Visas, “Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2025“.

April 9, 2025

Checking USCIS Processing Times Online

by Kellie N. Lego

You can now check USCIS processing times online at the USCIS web site. All you need to enter is your form number, and the office processing your case. USCIS has made processing times easier to understand and provide a more realistic date range.

Check Case Processing Times

The processing time range is how long it is taking for USCIS to process your type of case from the date they received it. USCIS processes cases in the order they receive them, and they normally update this information monthly. The estimated time range displayed is based on data captured over the last two months. Frequently Asked Questions About Processing Times

April 8, 2025

USCIS Updates Policy to Recognize Two Biological Sexes

by Kellie N. Lego

On Wednesday, April 2nd, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced via a News Release that they have updated the USCIS Policy Manual and now only recognizes two biological sexes, male and female. This change was made to follow President Trump’s executive order entitled, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government“.

For more information, please read the News Release, “USCIS Updates Policy to Recognize Two Biological Sexes“.

Source of Information:

April 7, 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:

NBC News (nbcnews.com), 4/2/25, Article and Video:

‘We were lied to’: Two women the Trump administration tried to send to El Salvador prison speak out

April 4, 2025

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

by Kellie N. Lego

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: