Legal
Court rulings, regulatory changes, and legal precedents shaping immigration law. Coverage of federal circuit decisions, BIA appeals, injunctions, and enforcement litigation that affect visa holders and applicants.
Most Immigrants Arrested in D.C. Crackdown Had No Criminal Records
Mid-2025 data show the D.C. crackdown detained mostly non-convicted individuals: about 30% had convictions, 27% had pending charges, and non-criminal arrests spiked dramatically. ICE custody and electronic monitoring increased sharply,…
Tufts PhD student detained by ICE seeks visa restoration in court
Turkish PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk was arrested after her F-1 visa was revoked, held 45 days with health…
Hajibeyli Urges Turkey to Block Deportation to Azerbaijan Over Risk
Azerbaijani opposition figure Gultekin Hajibeyli was detained in Istanbul despite a valid two-year residence permit and denied contact…
US Lawmakers and Rights Groups Condemn 19-Country Immigration Halt
A June 4, 2025 order halts most visa processing for 19 countries, citing security gaps and overstay concerns.…
Few Somalis in Minnesota Face Final Deportation Orders, Experts Say
Planned ICE actions in Minneapolis–St. Paul target people with final deportation orders; advocates warn hundreds could be affected.…
U.S. Citizenship Changes Effective Oct 20, 2025 for 2025–26 Applicants
Naturalization in 2025–26 introduces a 128-question civics test requiring 12 correct answers, higher fees ($710 online), electronic payments,…
DHS Travel Ban Expansion Under Consideration: Dec 2025 Policy Update
Following a violent attack, DHS recommended widening Proclamation 10949 from 19 to possibly 30–32 countries. USCIS paused adjudications…
2025 Family-Based Immigration Backlogs and 2026 Developments
2025 brought deeper family-based backlogs, unpredictable Visa Bulletin retrogression, and stricter vetting that lengthened I-130 adjudications and consular…
Los Angeles County Bans Law Enforcement Face Coverings, Including ICE
The county voted to advance a rule banning most officer face coverings in unincorporated areas, requiring visible identification.…
H-1B 2025 Preparation for Employers: Start in December
Prepare now for H-1B Registration 2025: registrations run March 7–24, 2025, costing US$215 each. Because selection uses a…