125% Poverty Thresholds for Sponsor Incomes in 2025: A Practical Guide
The 2025 income test for family-based sponsorship is 125% of HHS poverty guidelines, with higher figures for Alaska…
I-693 Validity by Application: USCIS Updates for 2025
USCIS now ties Form I-693 to the single application it accompanies for cases filed or pending on/after June…
245(i) After-Acquired Spouse: Updated Guide to Eligibility and Filing
USCIS confirms 245(i) still covers after-acquired spouses when a qualifying petition or labor certification was filed by April…
Complete Guide to I-864 Poverty Guidelines and Sponsor Responsibilities
USCIS tightened I-864 scrutiny and officers have been able to deny incomplete affidavits without an RFE since August…
I-693 Validity: How Long the Medical Exam Remains Valid
USCIS now requires most I-693s signed on/after Nov 1, 2023 to be valid only while the related application…
NVC Phone Numbers and Hours: The Complete Contact Guide
In 2025 the NVC in Portsmouth keeps weekday phone service 7 a.m.–midnight ET and remains the primary U.S.…
I-693 Validity and Expiration: 2025 Rules for Pending Applications
From June 11, 2025, I-693s signed on/after Nov 1, 2023 remain valid only while the related application is…
2026 Poverty Guidelines for Form I-864: Thresholds and Obligations
USCIS adopted the 2026 Poverty Guidelines for Form I-864: most sponsors need 125% of the guideline ($27,050 for…
245(i) After-Acquired Spouse: Derivative Eligibility in AOS
245(i) permits adjustment for those with qualifying filings by April 30, 2001. After-acquired spouses aren’t independently grandfathered but…
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee: What Employees Must Do Next
A $100,000 annual H-1B fee takes effect September 21, 2025, covering new petitions, renewals, and transfers. Employers advise…
Current H-1B Fee Structure and Proposed Changes for Workers
New H-1B visa fees now exceed $100,000 for hires from abroad, creating a massive financial gap between local…
USCIS Announces 2025 Civics Test: 128 Questions, 12/20 Pass
Starting October 20, 2025, USCIS will require naturalization applicants filing Form N-400 to study a 128-question civics pool…
North Side Leaders Host Emergency Town Hall on Fighting ICE in Chicago
After a 12-hour September 12 protest at Broadview, North Side Emergency town halls brief residents on rights, offer…
2025 U.S. Civics Test Reinstates 2020 Version with 128 Questions
Effective October 20, 2025, USCIS restores the 2020 civics test and expands the question bank to 128 while…