The H-1B program remains one of the most important—and most operationally complex—tools for U.S. employers seeking to hire and retain foreign national talent. Between cap-season timing, heightened documentation expectations,...more
The following information updates the initial alert distributed on January 13, 2026. USCIS has provided additional information regarding the timing of the H-1B cap lottery for the FY 2027 registration season....more
Without any grace period for implementation, investigation results, or opportunity for prior comment by H-1B employers in the State of Texas, Governor Abbott issued a letter on January 27, 2026, addressed to all state agency...more
The H-1B visa classification was established as a nonimmigrant, temporary worker program to aid U.S. employers unable to fill highly specialized positions (those requiring a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent). The...more
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that will shift the H-1B cap registration selection process from a random lottery to a weighted selection process based on a beneficiary’s proposed salary and...more
On December 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule amending the H-1B cap process. Congress mandates an annual cap for new H-1B visas each fiscal year, including 20,000 H-1B visas for...more
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced a final rule which will amend the selection process for H-1B registrations. The rule — which will to take effect with the FY2027 H-1B registration...more
As the “Big Beautiful Bill” takes effect and additional proposals are discussed in Congress, businesses that rely on foreign talent should pay close attention to immigration reforms....more
On October 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it had resumed processing of requests for prevailing wages and labor certification determinations for temporary and permanent employment in the U.S....more
The Department of Labor (DOL), Office of the Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), has resumed processing of applications for both temporary and permanent employment programs despite the continued government shutdown....more
On October 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that its Office of Foreign Labor Certification has resumed certain application processing. Online filing functionality has been restored for Labor Condition...more
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced Project Firewall. This initiative reflects a strengthening of investigative efforts to ensure employer compliance with their obligations under the H-1B visa...more
Employers that rely on the H-1B visa program to bring in high skilled and specialty talent will face stricter scrutiny and heightened enforcement under a new Department of Labor effort dubbed “Project Firewall.” The Trump...more
In this episode of The Inside Track, hosts Grace Shie and Maximillian Del Rey explore the U.S. Department of Labor’s new H-1B enforcement initiative, Project Firewall, and its implications for employers. They break down the...more
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a new enforcement initiative called Project Firewall, focused on companies that employ H-1B workers. The program will bring more audits and investigations to check that...more
The White House has announced significant changes to the H-1B program, including a new $100,000 petition fee, revised prevailing wage rules, a tiered lottery system, and expanded enforcement measures. These developments...more
The US Department of Labor has launched Project Firewall, a new enforcement initiative focused on safeguarding the rights, wages, and job opportunities of American workers. The program signals heightened scrutiny of H-1B...more
On September 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) to amend its H-1B regulations. The proposal also includes provisions that would change the H-1B cap...more
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the launch of Project Firewall, a comprehensive enforcement initiative designed to protect the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled...more
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has launched Project Firewall, a sweeping enforcement initiative designed to ensure strict employer compliance with the H-1B visa program. Coupled with the recent presidential proclamation...more
On Friday September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” which stands to significantly change the H-1B visa process and related costs. The H-1B...more
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of the immigration benefit process, the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) operates an Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP). ...more
Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B lottery will open at noon EST on March 7, 2025, and run through noon EST on March 24,...more
President Trump’s new administration takes charge this week with a renewed focus on enforcing federal immigration law. In fact, as explained in today’s companion article, one of President Trump’s first action items on...more
With an incoming administration vocal about its stance on immigration enforcement and safeguarding U.S. workers, employers who hire foreign workers on H-1B visas should make certain that they are maintaining compliance with...more