United States Immigration News
United States: immigration policy, education, living, property and more.
Without Legal Status, How Far Can Your Child Go in the U.S. Workplace?
In recent years, layoffs at U.S. companies have become far from uncommon. While the technology sector was once the primary focus of attention, industries such as media, entertainment, and film have also long undergone multiple rounds of restructuring. The difference is that these changes are no longer cyclical; they are now recurring and persistent across multiple sectors. Recently, Disney has initiated another round of layoffs, expected to affect approximately 1,000 employees. This marks the first large-scale organizational adjustment since February of this year. According to internal memos, the scope of these layoffs remains broad, impacting multiple departments.
Warning for Staying in the U.S.! Strict H-1B Compliance Checks
Against the backdrop of waves of layoffs, tightening visa policies, and the continuously rising uncertainty of the H-1B lottery, many international students and H-1B holders in the U.S. are facing unprecedented anxiety regarding their immigration status. In the past, the primary concern was "whether one could win the H-1B lottery"; however, the issue is becoming increasingly complex: even if selected, is the sponsoring company truly compliant? Does the position actually exist? Can the office location withstand scrutiny? These details, which were easily overlooked in the past, are now becoming new risk factors affecting the security of one's immigration status.
Quick Look! Two Major Changes in U.S. Immigration Applications
Recently, there have been two noteworthy changes in U.S. immigration. One concerns signatures on application forms, and the other concerns reporting addresses after moving within the United States. For applicants, these seemingly minor details can pose real risks if not handled properly. New Rule on Invalid Signatures: From "Correctable" to "Direct Denial" On May 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register regarding signature requirements for immigration benefit applications. The rule clarifies that if U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) discovers an invalid signature in the application materials after the case has been accepted, the adjudicating officer may, depending on the circumstances, choose to reject the application or issue a direct denial after completing the adjudication.
H-1B Holder Record: Life in the U.S. Without a Green Card is Pure Agony
Recently, the experience of Alice, an H-1B holder working at a U.S. tech company, has resonated with many families living in the United States. The moment she received her layoff notice at her desk, she did not remain as calm as her American colleagues; instead, she was immediately plunged into immense anxiety. For her, this was not just the end of a job, but the beginning of a countdown for her legal status. 60 days—this may be her final deadline to remain in the United States legally. Once an H-1B holder loses their job, they only have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, otherwise, they must depart the country. When she checks the "requires visa sponsorship" box on job recruitment platforms, the number of available positions instantly drops by more than half. For many middle-class elites, the H-1B is like an "experience card" that could expire at any moment.
New H-1B Approval Data Exposed, What is the Path for Staying in the U.S.?
Recently, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially released the "Characteristics of H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers: Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report." The report shows that in fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025), USCIS approved a total of 406,348 H-1B petitions. Below, please join WorldWay to take a look at the important signals released by this report. China remains firmly in second place globally. In terms of total approvals, the distribution of beneficiaries' nationalities largely follows the pattern of previous years. Indian nationals accounted for the highest percentage of approvals, reaching approximately 69.9%; Chinese nationals accounted for approximately 12.1% of approvals, ranking second globally.
Attention for U.S. Bound Travelers: New Nonimmigrant Visa Rules to be Announced Soon
Attention, families with students in the U.S. need to pay attention to an important development: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has submitted a new rule regarding the termination of the "Duration of Status" for F, J, and I visas to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, and it is about to be announced and implemented. In fact, this is not a sudden new policy. As early as August 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) published a new rule in the Federal Register: "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students (F), Exchange Visitors (J), and Representatives of Foreign Information Media (I)," which cancels the long-standing policy of entering the U.S. under the "Duration of Status" (D/S) method.
Emergency Alert! Seismic U.S. Immigration Proposal
Recently, U.S. immigration policy has once again signaled a strong tightening. The "Americans First Immigration Act," proposed by Republican Congressman Barry Moore, is attracting attention. This 70-page proposal has gained support from multiple Republicans and is currently in the preliminary discussion stage in the House of Representatives. The core of the proposal is to significantly restrict family-based immigration, eliminate the green card lottery, and introduce a new points-based system. Once passed, it could become a major adjustment to the U.S. legal immigration system in years.
Sudden Change in Studying in the U.S.! The H-1B Status Threshold Has Been Moved Forward
In the past, many families of international students were accustomed to considering immigration status only after graduation: study first, find an internship, work using OPT after graduation, see if they can be selected for an H-1B, and finally plan for a Green Card. However, the current U.S. job market is undergoing significant changes. Competition for international students no longer begins after graduation; the threshold for immigration status has already moved forward into the stages of internship applications, campus recruitment, and employer screening. Many students feel the disparity caused by their status during the internship phase, long before they even reach the steps of OPT and H-1B.
EB-5 Price Hike Incoming! Countdown to the $800,000 Window
For families considering the U.S. EB-5 investment immigration program, 2026 is a critical window to watch. The reason is straightforward: the current $800,000 investment threshold is expected to increase in 2027. According to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), the minimum EB-5 investment amount will be automatically adjusted every five years based on inflation levels. This first routine adjustment of the current cycle will take effect on January 1, 2027. This means that the current investment standards—$800,000 for Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and infrastructure projects, and $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects—are highly unlikely to be maintained in the future.
U.S. Immigration Processing Suspended? Truth Explained
Recently, a report regarding a "suspension of U.S. immigration processing" has sparked concern on social media, causing many families currently processing U.S. status, preparing for study abroad in the U.S., or planning for a U.S. Green Card to worry about whether their applications will be affected. However, it must be clarified that this is not a "comprehensive suspension of immigration processing by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)." What is truly worth noting is that U.S. immigration vetting is further strengthening security background and compliance requirements. Not a comprehensive suspension but an increase in background review standards. More accurately, starting from April 27, 2026 (U.S. time), USCIS has implemented a more robust FBI background check mechanism for certain immigration benefit applications that require fingerprint submission. For some pending cases such as Green Card adjustment of status, naturalization, and asylum, if previous fingerprint checks have not been reviewed by the new system, final approval may be deferred while USCIS internally resubmits the fingerprints for re-verification.
U.S. Visa Screening Tightened Again!
Recently, U.S. visa screening has once again drawn attention. On April 28, local time, the U.S. Department of State issued an urgent notice to all embassies and consulates worldwide: effective immediately, all applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas must answer two additional questions during their interviews! What are the two new questions? The new regulation specifies that U.S. embassies and consulates abroad must ask applicants the following two questions when processing non-immigrant visa applications: 1. Have you ever suffered harm or abuse in your country of nationality or last habitual residence? 2. Do you fear that you will suffer harm or abuse if you return to your country of nationality or permanent residence? The visa review process can only proceed if the applicant verbally answers "No" to both questions; if the applicant answers "Yes," the visa will be denied on the spot.
Service has no end! WorldWay's event for existing clients in the US is warmly staged
From Los Angeles to Boston, and then to New York, from the West Coast to the East Coast, a relay of services spanning across the United States continues to be written. Recently, the WorldWay Group US Customer Service Center successfully held the "WorldWay US Service Upgrade and Global Residency New Trends Exchange—2026 New York Existing Client Spring Private Luncheon" in Midtown Manhattan. This meticulously prepared private event exclusively for existing clients once again vividly practiced the core philosophy of "WorldWay service has a beginning but no end," and also built a warm bridge for new immigrants in the US, receiving rave reviews!