Author: Omar Alvarado
Premium Processing Fees will increase effective March 1, 2026
Premium Processing Fees will increase effective March 1, 2026 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an Interim Final Rule that increases USCIS fees for Premium Processing (Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing). The rule will apply to applications filed on or after March 1, 2026. The information below provides a comprehensive breakdown of these updates. …
Supplemental H-2B Visas Expected for FY 2026
FY 2026 H-2B Supplemental Cap: What Employers Need to Know Now The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have announced plans to release 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2026, in addition to the standard annual cap. While this is welcome news for employers with seasonal and temporary hiring…
H-2B Supplemental Cap Update: 2026
H-2B Supplemental Cap Update: 2026 Please note an important update on the H-2B Supplemental Cap. The Department of Labor’s initial announcement stated supplemental visas would be directed toward critical infrastructure sectors, “such as” seafood, forestry, hospitality and tourism, transportation, and manufacturing. DOL used the phrase “such as,” indicating that the industries identified may be illustrative…
DHS Announces Final Rule Establishing Weighted Selection Process for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
DHS Announces Final Rule Establishing Weighted Selection Process for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions On December 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule that fundamentally changes how H-1B cap registrations are selected. Beginning February 27, 2026, USCIS will replace the random lottery with a weighted, wage-level–based selection system, to be used for the…
USCIS Reverses Policy on Extended EAD Validity
USCIS Reverses Policy on Extended EAD Validity Effective December 5, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement a major revision to Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity periods. The agency is shortening the maximum validity for certain categories from five years to 18 months, thereby rescinding the extension granted in September 2023. USCIS indicates…
Preparing for H-2A Compliance, Strategy, & Workforce Planning
Preparing for H-2A Compliance, Strategy, & Workforce Planning The H-2A program continues to be one of the most reliable paths for agricultural employers seeking seasonal labor — but it also remains one of the most heavily regulated. In our recent webinar, we walked employers through the full H-2A process, compliance requirements, the new 2025 AEWR…
DHS Ends Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization
DHS Ends Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on October 29, 2025, an Interim Final Rule ending the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The rule will apply to EAD applications filed on or after October 30, 2025. Key Takeaways The rule eliminates the automatic 540-day extension previously…
H-1B $100,000 Payment: Where It Stands Now
H-1B $100,000 Payment: Where It Stands Now By Farmer Law PC, Austin, Texas. Last reviewed: November 2, 2026. We check this page each month while the court cases continue. Short answer: On June 8, 2026, a federal court in Massachusetts vacated the agency guidance that set up the $100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions….
Department of Labor Interim Final Rule on H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates
DOL Interim Final Rule on H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) On October 2, 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) revising how it calculates the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural workers in non-range occupations. This change comes after the prior 2023 AEWR rule was vacated in…
New I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Fees
New I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Fees U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially announced new and increased fees for I-94 forms, as required under H.R. 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Public Law 119‑21). The updated fees took effect on September 30, 2025, and apply to I‑94 forms at land borders, Electronic System for Travel…
