H-1B & US green cards
H-1B lottery and fees, PERM labor certification, green-card backlogs, USCIS scrutiny and enforcement.
28 briefs
Today · Monday 26 October
- United States·Policy & Law
White House clears proposed PERM green card overhaul to boost protections for US workers
The White House has cleared a proposed overhaul of the PERM employment-based green card program, weeks after PERM suspensions hit major companies including Microsoft. The Labor Department says current rules date to 2004 and rely on outdated newspaper ads. Reforms would focus on recruiting Americans, protecting laid-off workers, non-discriminatory hiring and employer recordkeeping, and will go out for public comment.
- United States·Policy & Law
US completes federal review, moves to tighten PERM green card sponsorship rules
The US government is moving to revise employment-based green card sponsorship requirements after completing a federal review of proposed changes to the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. Separately, the Netherlands will introduce new rules for employers sponsoring foreign workers starting Nov. 1.
- United States·Policy & Law
CCIA report says ending H-1B 60-day grace period fails cost-benefit test
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) released an analysis finding that DHS's proposal to eliminate the discretionary 60-day grace period for H-1B workers would cost $121 million to $762 million more per year than it saves, with a central estimate of $263 million annually and roughly $1.8 billion in ten-year net present cost. The rule was published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2026.
- United States·Policy & Law
Trump administration moves to end H-1B extension protections, finalizes work permit renewal restrictions
The Trump administration, through DHS and USCIS, is proposing to eliminate a rule requiring officers to generally defer to prior approvals when reviewing extension petitions for employment-based visas including H-1B and L-1, and has finalized a separate rule ending automatic work permit extensions for certain foreign nationals including H-1B spouses. Both measures were made available for public inspection Tuesday and are set for Federal Register publication Wednesday, with significant expected impact on Indian nationals who make up the majority of H-1B holders and H-4 work-authorized spouses.
- United States·Policy & Law
DHS rule could leave 20,000-33,000 work permits to expire, leaving Green Card applicants in job gaps
A report says a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule could put between 20,000 and 33,000 work permits (EADs) at risk of expiring, leaving Green Card applicants and H-1B spouses facing potential job gaps. Further details of the rule and its implementation were not provided in the excerpt.
- United States·Policy & Law
US November visa bulletin: EB-3 advances 21 days for India, EB-2 unchanged
The US Department of State's November 2026 Visa Bulletin advanced India's EB-3 Final Action Date by three weeks to January 22, 2014, while EB-1 (February 1, 2023) and EB-2 (November 1, 2013) dates for India remain unchanged. USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications in November using the Dates for Filing chart.
- United States·Policy & Law
H-1B crackdown sparks debate as Indian tech firms see sharp visa drop
US Vice President JD Vance publicly backed eliminating the H-1B visa program, calling it broken. Infosys and TCS saw their FY2027 H-1B registrations drop over 90% versus FY2026, while PERM permanent labor certification processing has been suspended for eight major tech employers, an opinion piece reports.
Yesterday · Sunday 25 October
- United States·Policy & Law
US Scraps Automatic Work Permit Extensions for H-4 Spouses, Tightens Visa Renewal Scrutiny
USCIS eliminated automatic work permit extensions for multiple immigration categories including H-4 visa holder spouses. A separate proposal would impose stricter visa renewal scrutiny; Indian-American families are identified as significantly affected populations.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Suspends 8 Tech Firms from PERM Labor Certification, Indian IT Workers Face Visa Uncertainty
On October 8, 2026, the US suspended eight firms—Microsoft, Adobe, TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, Capgemini, and Cognizant—from PERM permanent labor certification, affecting their H-1B workers' green card pathways. Impacted employees receive eight-month grace periods after H-1B expiration; some roles may transfer to India.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Senator Proposes Nearly $140,000 H-1B Salary Threshold
A US senator proposed raising the H-1B visa minimum salary threshold to nearly $140,000 to increase wage standard requirements for employer applications.
- United States·Policy & Law
India Criticizes Vance's 'Indentured Servants' Remark Amid US Green Card Restrictions
Vice President Vance's remarks characterizing foreign workers as 「契约奴」 drew criticism from India amid U.S. restrictions on green card policies.
- United States·Policy & Law
US November visa bulletin advances family-sponsored categories by about a year for Indians
The US Department of State's November 2026 Visa Bulletin advanced final action dates for the F1, F2B and F3 family-sponsored categories by about a year, bringing some Indian applicants with older priority dates closer to permanent residency, while employment-based categories saw only limited progress and continue to face lengthy backlogs.
- United States·Policy & Law
USCIS Revises Filing Deadline Rules, Effective October 23, Affecting Green Card and H-1B Applicants
USCIS revised filing deadline rules effective October 23, 2026, distinguishing procedural filing deadlines from dates involving substantive eligibility. The change eliminates automatic weekend/holiday extensions for certain qualification-related deadlines, affecting green card applicants' children nearing age 21 and H-1B workers requiring timely extension filings.
- United States·Policy & Law
USCIS Begins Approving H-1B Petitions Filed Without $100,000 Fee
USCIS began approving H-1B petitions filed without the $100,000 supplemental fee required by Trump administration, which had exceeded expedited processing timelines. The fee was established September 2025 and extended to September 21, 2027; a June 2026 Massachusetts federal court ruled against it, with the government appealing.
- United States·Policy & Law
Immigration Column: I-140 Approval Holder Can Still Switch to F-1 Status If Laid Off from H-1B
A reader holding an approved NIW I-140 with an October 2023 priority date asked whether H-1B layoff permits F-1 status switch. Immigration counsel replied status change applications filed within the US remain viable if the applicant has genuine study intent and plans to depart post-graduation, as USCIS may approve such transfers.
Saturday 24 October
- United States·Policy & Law
Florida Governor DeSantis Urges States to Stop H-1B Hiring at Public Universities
Florida has suspended H-1B hiring at 12 public universities, and Governor Ron DeSantis urged other states to follow suit on social media, citing job protection for American graduates. DeSantis has pursued H-1B restrictions at public universities since October 2025.
- United States·Policy & Law
Microsoft President Brad Smith Rejects Vance's H-1B Allegations, Warns of Green Card Restrictions Impact
Microsoft President Brad Smith rejected Vice President Vance's H-1B allegations and warned that further green card restrictions could undermine U.S. tech competitiveness.
- United States·Policy & Law
28 Immigrants in California Risk Losing Green Cards Over the Same Act
Twenty-eight immigrants in California risk green card revocation over the same act, including individuals residing in the U.S. for 40 years who claim lack of awareness.
- United States·Policy & Law
Tech Entrepreneur Palmer Luckey Calls H-1B Program a "Corrupt Sham", Criticizes Lobbyists
Tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey called the H-1B program a「corrupt sham」and criticized leaders unwilling to fix it, citing VP Vance's reform push. Immigration researchers credited his comments with elevating public discourse on skilled outsourcing.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Immigration Uses AI to Cross-Check H-1B Address and Worksite Records
U.S. immigration authorities increasingly use AI tools to cross-check H-1B records across databases, identifying discrepancies between employee residence addresses and employer-reported worksites. Legal experts warn mismatches may trigger investigation, particularly affecting Indian professionals who comprise a large H-1B share.
- United States·News
Laid-off H-1B Worker Faces Visa Uncertainty After 100 Job Applications Yield One Interview
An H-1B visa holder laid off after eight years of U.S. employment faces visa uncertainty after submitting over 100 job applications with only one interview; the employer declined to maintain payroll sponsorship citing legal risk but offered severance.
- United States·Policy & Law
Infosys Discloses DOJ Investigation Over H-1B Visa Classification
Infosys disclosed in its September 30, 2026 quarterly and interim reports that it is under DOJ investigation over H-1B visa holder classification. The company cannot predict investigation outcomes or potential material adverse business impacts; Infosys paid $34 million in 2013 to settle prior immigration violation allegations.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indian-Origin US Midterms Candidate Backs H-1B Crackdown, Cites Misuse by Fake Firms
Indian-American midterm candidate Nirav Sheth, backing Trump, supports H-1B visa crackdowns before the November 3 election, alleging misuse by 「fake firms」 lacking real products or services, calling for immigration system reform.
- United States·Research
Report Warns Trump's H-1B Restrictions Could Strain India-U.S. Ties
A Khalsa Vox report warned Trump administration tech-immigrant restrictions—including a $100,000 fee for select new H-1B applications—could weaken U.S. talent attraction and strain India–U.S. economic and strategic ties. Indian-Americans number 4+ million; Indian nationals comprise nearly two-thirds of 2024 H-1B approvals.
- United States·Policy & Law
Report: US H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee Risk Straining India-US Strategic Partnership
A Khalsa Vox report warned that US H-1B restrictions and $100,000 fees risk straining India-US strategic partnership, threatening Indian talent and innovation. The Trump administration defends limits as「America First」measures protecting US workers and combating visa fraud and labor abuse.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indians Face Backlash Over US Tech Jobs as H-1B Visas Become a Flashpoint
Growing numbers of Indian professionals in U.S. tech trigger backlash over immigration, jobs and wages as critics accuse foreign workers of displacing Americans and helping suppress costs. H-1B visa restrictions loom, potentially affecting tech hiring and housing demand.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indian-American Group Urges Trump to Protect PERM Green Card Program Amid Tech Company Suspensions
An Indian-American group urged the Trump administration to protect the PERM green card program after tech companies suspended immigration sponsorship initiatives.
Friday 23 October
- United States·Policy & Law
October 2026 Visa Bulletin restores availability in several employment-based categories
The US State Department's October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first of FY2027, restored availability in several employment-based immigrant visa categories and adjusted cutoff dates. USCIS confirmed applicants may use the more favorable Dates for Filing chart in October, expanding eligibility. EB-2 and EB-5 India Unreserved regained final action dates, while some Rest of World categories retrogressed to stay within FY2027 limits.