As immigration enforcement in the United States continues to intensify, concerns are growing about whether these developments may affect the ability to obtain U.S. visas and green cards. At times like this, it is especially important to comply with U.S. immigration laws and carefully consider the most reliable strategies for obtaining a U.S. visa or green card.
We wish you a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
Sincerely,
LAWAMERICA
H-1B Registration Begins March 4
Registration for Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B visas, which will allow selected applicants to begin employment on October 1, 2026, will open on March 4, 2026. The registration period will run from noon Eastern Time on March 4 through noon Eastern Time on March 19.
At its Irvine and Seoul offices, LAWAMERICA’s U.S. attorneys directly review information regarding applicants and employers in advance to determine eligibility for H-1B visas. LAWAMERICA provides comprehensive assistance throughout the entire process, from H-1B registration and petition filing to visa applications and changes of status within the United States.
Texas Suspends H-1B Sponsorship by Public Institutions
In late January 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that all public universities and state agencies in Texas would temporarily suspend the hiring of foreign nationals who require new H-1B visa sponsorship.
Governor Abbott also announced that the state would conduct a comprehensive review of foreign workers employed by Texas public universities and state agencies through May 2027 and stated that special approval from the state government would be required to hire foreign nationals during this period. Foreign nationals reportedly account for approximately 1% of the workforce at Texas public universities and state agencies.
Religious Immigrant Visa Program Extended Through September 30, 2026
After the existing religious immigrant visa program expired on January 30, 2026, President Trump signed legislation extending the program through September 30 of this year. As a result, eligible religious immigrant visa applicants may once again proceed with immigrant visa interviews or file applications for adjustment of status.
Premium Processing Fees Increase for Certain Visa and Green Card Applications
Beginning March 1, 2026, premium processing (PP) fees for the following visa and green card applications will increase:
Visa/Green Card Category
| Previous PP Fee
| New PP Fee
|
H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Visa; R-1 Religious Worker Visa
| $1,685
| $1,780
|
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa; E-2 Treaty Investor Visa; H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa; L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa; LZ Blanket L Visa; O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa; P-1 Athlete/Entertainer Visa
| $2,805
| $2,965
|
| E11 Extraordinary Ability; E12 Outstanding Professor or Researcher; E13 Multinational Executive or Manager; E21 NIW and Non-NIW; E31 EB-3 Skilled Worker; E32 EB-3 Professional; EW3 EB-3 Other Worker | $2,805
| $2,965
|
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (F-1, J-1, and M-1)
| $1,965
| $2,075
|
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (OPT and STEM OPT)
| $1,685
| $1,780 |
Federal Courts in Three Jurisdictions Restrict ICE Arrests Without Judicial Warrants
Federal district courts in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Oregon have ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may not arrest suspected undocumented immigrants in those jurisdictions without a judicial warrant issued by a court.
ICE currently takes the position that it may arrest suspected undocumented immigrants based on an administrative warrant issued internally by ICE. If you encounter ICE enforcement officers, you should confirm what type of warrant they have and seek assistance from an attorney if necessary.
LAWAMERICA’s Irvine Office Managing Attorney, Jieun Park, has also published an article on the LAWAMERICA blog explaining key considerations for obtaining approval of an EB-1C multinational executive or manager petition when the applicant supervises a relatively small number of employees.
Case Study: EB-1C U.S. Green Card Petition Approved for an E-2 Visa Holder
As immigration enforcement in the United States continues to intensify, concerns are growing about whether these developments may affect the ability to obtain U.S. visas and green cards. At times like this, it is especially important to comply with U.S. immigration laws and carefully consider the most reliable strategies for obtaining a U.S. visa or green card.
We wish you a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
Sincerely,
LAWAMERICA
H-1B Registration Begins March 4
Registration for Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B visas, which will allow selected applicants to begin employment on October 1, 2026, will open on March 4, 2026. The registration period will run from noon Eastern Time on March 4 through noon Eastern Time on March 19.
At its Irvine and Seoul offices, LAWAMERICA’s U.S. attorneys directly review information regarding applicants and employers in advance to determine eligibility for H-1B visas. LAWAMERICA provides comprehensive assistance throughout the entire process, from H-1B registration and petition filing to visa applications and changes of status within the United States.
Texas Suspends H-1B Sponsorship by Public Institutions
In late January 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that all public universities and state agencies in Texas would temporarily suspend the hiring of foreign nationals who require new H-1B visa sponsorship.
Governor Abbott also announced that the state would conduct a comprehensive review of foreign workers employed by Texas public universities and state agencies through May 2027 and stated that special approval from the state government would be required to hire foreign nationals during this period. Foreign nationals reportedly account for approximately 1% of the workforce at Texas public universities and state agencies.
Religious Immigrant Visa Program Extended Through September 30, 2026
After the existing religious immigrant visa program expired on January 30, 2026, President Trump signed legislation extending the program through September 30 of this year. As a result, eligible religious immigrant visa applicants may once again proceed with immigrant visa interviews or file applications for adjustment of status.
Premium Processing Fees Increase for Certain Visa and Green Card Applications
Beginning March 1, 2026, premium processing (PP) fees for the following visa and green card applications will increase:
Federal Courts in Three Jurisdictions Restrict ICE Arrests Without Judicial Warrants
Federal district courts in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Oregon have ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may not arrest suspected undocumented immigrants in those jurisdictions without a judicial warrant issued by a court.
ICE currently takes the position that it may arrest suspected undocumented immigrants based on an administrative warrant issued internally by ICE. If you encounter ICE enforcement officers, you should confirm what type of warrant they have and seek assistance from an attorney if necessary.
LAWAMERICA’s Irvine Office Managing Attorney, Jieun Park, has also published an article on the LAWAMERICA blog explaining key considerations for obtaining approval of an EB-1C multinational executive or manager petition when the applicant supervises a relatively small number of employees.
Case Study: EB-1C U.S. Green Card Petition Approved for an E-2 Visa Holder