On September 19, 2025, President Trump abruptly announced that all new H-1B visa petitions filed on or after 120:01 a.m. on September 21, 2025, would be subject to a $100,000 fee. In the days that followed, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) […]| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
Over the past several weeks, the Trump Administration has made two major announcements impacting the H-1B Visa program in the United States. On September 19, 2025, the administration issued a White House Proclamation requiring $100k fee for H-1B entrants. Just a few days later, on September 25, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a […] The post Understanding the Proposed Weighted Selection Process for H-1B Visas appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced changes to the naturalization civics test that will affect N-400 applicants moving forward. Here’s what you need to know: The updated test now includes 128 possible civics questions. At the naturalization interview, applicants will be asked up to 20 questions. To pass, applicants must answer at […] The post USCIS Announces Update on the Naturalization Civics Test appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
This article provides an UPDATE on our advisory from September 20, 2025, regarding the Trump Presidential Proclamation requiring payment of a $100,000 fee for individuals entering the United States. The White House, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Memorandum and FAQ page, as well as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), have provided some clarifications, but […] The post UPDATED ADVISORY – Trump Proclamation requiring $100k H-1B Fee appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
PLEASE REVIEW OUR UPDATED ARTICLE, DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2025, FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION ON THIS RAPIDLY EVOLVING ISSUE. On Friday September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation restricting the entry of H-1B visa holders into the United States without payment of a $100,000 fee. As of this writing, details on what the Presidential […] The post Understanding the Trump Proclamation requiring $100k for H-1B Entry appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
In August 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued two major policy updates that reshape how naturalization is evaluated—particularly in the areas of Good Moral Character (GMC) and personal investigations. These changes mark a shift toward deeper assessments of applicants’ characters and histories. As a reminder, applicants for naturalization must have at least 5 […] The post USCIS Naturalization Overhaul: What’s New in Good Moral Character & Investigations appea...| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
On August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a major proposed rule that would fundamentally change how international students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and foreign media representatives (I visas) are admitted and stay in the United States. Here’s an easy breakdown of what’s changing compared to the current rules. 1. […] The post Big Immigration Shift: DHS Proposes Fixed Admission Periods for F, J, and I Visa Holders appeared first on Kolko & Case...| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
The U.S. Department of State has made changes to the Visa Reciprocity Schedule, which determines how long a visa stamp is valid and whether it allows single or multiple entries, based on your country and visa type. What’s New? As of July, many nonimmigrant visas are now being issued for: Only 3 months Single entry […] The post Important Update: U.S. Visa Validity and Entry Limits Have Changed appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
On July 18, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it had received enough H-1B Cap-Subject applications to reach the congressionally mandated maximum of H-1B visas for Fiscal Year 2026. Background: The H-1B nonimmigrant status/visa is an employer sponsored temporary work status for foreign national professional workers in specialty occupations in the United States. The H-1B […] The post H-1B Cap Reached for Fiscal Year 2026 appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, a day that marks the birth of our nation and the principles of liberty, equality, and justice, it is important to pause and reflect not just on what our country was founded upon, but also on the ways in which these values are being tested today. The […] The post Honoring the Fourth of July: A Reflection on Our Nation’s Values appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued his Birthright Citizenship Order, eliminating birthright citizenship for people born AFTER the effective date of the order, and who are: 1) a child of an undocumented mother and a father who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; or 2) a child of a mother who […] The post What is the Status of Trump Order on Birthright Citizenship? appeared first on Kolko & Casey, P.C..| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
The State Department will resume scheduling of visa interviews for applicants seeking F-1 student, M-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor visas abroad. On May 27, 2025, the Department of State issued a cable directing consular posts to pause scheduling of visa interviews for the F-1, M-1 and J-1 exchange visitor categories, pending the Department’s expansion […]| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
Welcome Our Mission at Kolko & Casey, P.C. At Kolko and Casey, we understand that immigration law affects the most fundamental aspects of business and people’s lives. It affects whom employers can hire, where people can work and for whom. It affects whether family members can live together in the same country. It affects whether […]| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
On October 1, 2025, the U.S. Federal Government shut down, due to Congress’ failure to agree on a budget for government operations. With a government shutdown, on certain government employees and agencies continue working. Below is a breakdown of how a government shutdown impacts federal agencies involved with immigration: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Most […]| Kolko & Casey, P.C.
