Gordon Law Group PC

The New York Times reports that the Trump Administration is considering targeting citizens of as many as 43 countries as part of a new ban on travel to the United States that would be broader than the restrictions imposed during President Trump's first term. A draft list of recommendations suggests a "red" list of 11 countries whose citizens would be flatly barred from entering the United States: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. The draft proposal also includes an "orange" list of 10 countries for which travel would be restricted but not cut off and a "yellow" list of 22 countries that would be given 60 days to clear up perceived deficiencies or be moved onto one of the other lists.

?? DS-160 Visa Application Photo Requirements ?? *NEW* The DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application will no longer accept photos that fail to meet the U.S. Department of State’s strict quality standards. If your photo doesn’t meet all requirements, you’ll be unable to complete your application and will receive an Application Error message. ?? Need to check your photo? Use the State Department’s official photo tool to confirm compliance (link below). #USVisa #VisaApplication #TravelTips #DS160 #ImmigrationLaw #GlobalMobility

?? New DHS Alien Registration Requirement ?? On February 25, 2025, USCIS announced a new registration requirement for certain non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States, following Trump’s Protecting the American People Against Invasion executive order. The interim final regulation, which will govern the registration requirement and process, has not yet been published but is expected soon. ? Who Must Register ? ???Noncitizens 14+ years old who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and will stay in the U.S. for 30+ days ?? Children under 14 (registered by parents/guardians) ?? Previously registered children turning 14, who must re-register and provide fingerprints ? Who Is Already Registered? ?? Green Card holders, visa holders, parolees, employment authorization recipients, and individuals in removal proceedings ?? Failure to comply may result in fines, a misdemeanor conviction, or even immigration consequences. Importantly, registration does not grant legal immigration status or work authorization. ?? Key Takeaway: If you may be subject to this requirement, stay informed on the final regulations to ensure compliance. More details will be available once DHS releases the final regulation. ?? Questions? Contact [email protected] for guidance. #ImmigrationLaw #USCIS #DHS #ImmigrationCompliance #VisaStatus #AlienRegistration

??? H-1B Cap Registration Opens March 7 ??? This year's H-1B cap registration period will run from March 7 at noon ET to March 24 at noon ET. Employers who have not yet reviewed their foreign national workforce to identify potential candidates should act quickly: ? time is now of the essence ?. ?? Key Considerations: - Beneficiary-Centric System: Each applicant must use the same valid passport or travel document for all registrations to avoid disqualification. - Plan for Possible Delays: A potential government shutdown on March 15 could impact the registration system—filing early is strongly advised. ?? Next Steps for Employers: Employers should identify H-1B candidates immediately and ensure they have valid and consistent passport or travel document information for registration. Given the possibility of a government shutdown, early submission is strongly recommended to prevent issues. Employers should also work with their immigration counsel to set up the correct USCIS organizational account and avoid last-minute issues. ?? Questions about the H-1B process? Contact [email protected] for guidance on compliance and strategy. #H1B #H1BLottery #BusinessImmigration #USCIS #GlobalTalent #ImmigrationLaw

?? U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Restrictions Now Apply Globally ?? Last week, Gordon Law Group PC shared that U.S. consulates in India had begun limiting visa interview waiver eligibility—now, this policy has been rolled out worldwide per a Feb. 18 update from the State Department (link below). So, what’s changing? ?? Stricter Eligibility: Only those renewing a visa in the same category whose prior visa expired within the last 12 months are eligible for an interview waiver (down from 48 months). ?? Global Impact: This change is now in effect at all U.S. consulates, not just those in India. ?? Longer Wait Times Expected: Demand for in-person visa appointments is likely to increase significantly, particularly in high-volume countries. ?? Planning Ahead If you or your employees need a U.S. visa renewal, prepare for delays and schedule consular appointments as early as possible. ?? Need help navigating these changes? Contact [email protected] for visa renewal strategies and guidance. #USVisas #VisaRenewal #GlobalMobility #ImmigrationLaw #TravelPlanning #H1B

?? Visa Renewal Interview Waiver Eligibility Narrowed ?? Gordon Law Group PC has received reports that the U.S. Department of State has quietly rolled back expanded eligibility for the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) interview waiver program at consular posts abroad. This means fewer applicants will qualify to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview. ?? Stricter Eligibility: Only applicants renewing a visa in the same category are eligible, and the prior visa must have expired within the last 12 months (previously 48 months). Those who no longer qualify must now schedule an in-person interview, likely increasing wait times at U.S. consulates. ?? Uncertainty for Pending Cases: It remains unclear how consular posts will handle NIV applications already submitted under the previous criteria. ?? What This Means for Travelers & Employers ?? ???Plan ahead if you will need a visa renewal soon. ???Expect longer appointment wait times and review consular guidance for rescheduling instructions. ???Employers should factor in potential delays when planning for international travel of visa-dependent employees. ?? Have questions about your visa renewal or travel plans? Contact [email protected] for guidance on navigating these changes. #USVisas #ImmigrationLaw #GlobalMobility #VisaRenewal #TravelPlanning

?? DHS Ends 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela ?? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of the 2023 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela, which will take effect 60 days after its official publication on February 5, 2025. ?? Key Takeaways ?? ?? TPS beneficiaries under the 2023 designation will lose protection and work authorization once the termination takes effect. ?? The 2021 Venezuela TPS designation remains valid through September 10, 2025—DHS must decide by July 12, 2025, whether to extend or terminate it. ?? DHS cited that allowing Venezuelans to remain under the 2023 designation is “contrary to the national interest,” despite conditions in Venezuela remaining “extraordinary” and “temporary.” ?? The decision may face legal challenges, as previous TPS terminations under the first Trump administration were met with lawsuits. ?? What This Means for TPS Holders ?? Venezuelans who registered under the 2023 TPS designation should explore alternative immigration options before their status expires. If you or your employees are impacted, seeking immigration counsel is critical to maintaining legal status and work authorization. ?? Need guidance? Contact [email protected] for case evaluations and alternative pathways. ?? Follow Gordon Law Group PC for regular updates on U.S. immigration law and practical guidance in this changing landscape. #TPS #VenezuelaTPS #ImmigrationUpdate #ImmigrationLaw #DHS #WorkAuthorization

Trump Administration Strips Schools, Churches of Immigration Enforcement Protections NPR reports that the Department of Homeland Security has rescinded Biden-era protections that restricted immigration enforcement in sensitive areas, allowing immigration authorities to conduct arrests at schools, healthcare facilities, and places of worship. This shift follows President Trump's executive actions, which also ended humanitarian parole programs for individuals from certain countries, and emphasized a return to more aggressive immigration enforcement, particularly in sanctuary cities. ? Follow Gordon Law Group PC for updates on U.S. immigration law and practical guidance in this changing landscape. #ImmigrationLaw #PolicyUpdate #SanctuaryCities #TrumpAdministration #GlobalMobility

?? Have You Checked Your I-94 for Errors? ?? With no more passport stamps at the border, I-94 errors have become more common, and they can lead to serious immigration issues. If you recently traveled, it’s critical to check your I-94 record for mistakes in your name, travel history, admission dates, or visa classification. If you spot an error, our latest flyer provides a helpful guide to: ? Identify I-94 issues ? Gather necessary documents ? Correct errors with CBP through deferred inspection sites or the online Traveler Communication Center ?? Need assistance? Contact our office at [email protected] for help navigating this process. #ImmigrationLaw #I94 #TravelTips

?? Happy New Year from Gordon Law Group PC! ?? As we step into 2025, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to all! ?? We’re deeply grateful for the trust our clients and community have placed in us over the past year. ?? Whether you're pursuing your dream of living in the U.S., working to reunite with loved ones, or expanding your U.S. workforce, it has been our honor to support your journey. Looking ahead, we remain committed to providing exceptional legal counsel and unwavering support to help you achieve a brighter future in the United States. ?? Here's to an incredible 2025 together! ?? #HappyNewYear #NewYear2025 #ImmigrationLaw