Tightened US Visa Rules Spur Immigrants to Cancel Holiday Travel
International-Student Decline Could Cost Virginia $23 Million, Study Warns
Visitor-Visa Marriages Under Spotlight as Travel Ban Shrinks Green-Card Pathways
Latest News
DHS Finalizes Wage-Weighted H-1B Selection System for FY 2027
USCIS published a Final Rule on December 29 2025 shifting the annual H-1B cap selection from a random lottery to a wage-weighted system that favors higher-paid jobs. The rule takes effect February 27 2026, affecting FY 2027 filings. Employers must reassess salary levels and assignment budgets, while lower-wage sectors may face reduced selection rates.
New Rule Lets U.S. Deny Asylum on Public-Health Grounds
A regulation finalized on December 29 2025 allows U.S. authorities to deny asylum and related protections to migrants deemed public-health risks. The measure echoes Title 42 expulsions but can be triggered without a formal emergency declaration, expanding presidential discretion at the border and foreshadowing possible operational delays for cross-border travel.
Winter Storm Ezra Grounds U.S. Flights and Upends Holiday Business Travel
Winter Storm Ezra triggered nearly 6,000 flight delays and more than 750 cancellations on December 29 2025, disrupting one of the busiest corporate travel periods of the year. Mobility teams faced unexpected lodging costs, postponed assignment start dates, and potential freight delays as airlines and cargo hubs struggled with blizzard conditions.