Cross-cutting analysis of executive actions, agency guidance, and federal court rulings reshaping U.S. immigration practice.
A federal judge in the District of Massachusetts, ruling on summary judgment in a 20-state coalition suit led by California, vacated the Trump proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B petitions filed from abroad. The court held the fee is a tax — and only Congress can levy one.
Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. struck down four USCIS policies that had frozen benefits, asylum, and re-review processing for nationals of 39 countries. The relief is nationwide — but the post-CASA fight over whether one district judge can do that is far from settled.
USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 reframes adjustment of status as an 'extraordinary' discretionary benefit, instructing officers to weigh prior status violations, intent at entry, and consular-processing alternatives. Practitioners say it rewrites the statute by memo — and a federal-court challenge is being prepared.