Executive Summary: The Laken Riley Act makes immigration detention mandatory for visa holders arrested for crimes like drunk driving (DUI) or shoplifting, even without a conviction. Japanese nationals and others on U.S. […]
Category: Uncategorized
How Much Will It Cost to Enter the U.S. Now? New ESTA Fees and a $250.00 Visa Integrity Fee Explained
Executive Summary: The ESTA fee increased to $40.00 in 2025, and a new $250.00 “Visa Integrity Fee” was introduced on October 1, though it’s not yet being collected. These changes reflect a […]
Can Immigration Deny You for “Anti-American” Views? Here’s What the New USCIS Policy Says
Executive Summary: A new USCIS policy update emphasizes the government’s existing authority under INA 313(a) to deny or revoke immigration benefits for “anti-American” activity. The law does not define that term clearly, […]
What Is Visa Vetting and Can the U.S. Really Monitor 55 Million People?
Executive Summary: The U.S. is expanding “continuous vetting” of visa holders, reviewing everything from criminal records to social media activity. While the program claims to monitor 55 million visas, it disproportionately affects […]
Is the H-1B Visa Still a Lottery? Big Changes Ahead for Small Businesses
Executive Summary: The H-1B visa lottery may soon move from a random selection to a wage-based system, favoring high-paying employers. Smaller companies offering competitive but mid-range salaries could lose out under the […]
Using ESTA to Enter the U.S.? Read This First
ESTA sounds easy, and for the most part, it is. But don’t confuse “no visa required” with “no rules apply.” If you’re planning to enter the U.S. under ESTA, especially from Japan, […]
Green Card Expiring? Here is What to Know Before You Renew
We have seen it too many times: a green card holder realizes their card is about to expire (or worse, already expired) and starts to panic. Maybe they are worried about being […]
Do You Really Need a F-1 Visa to Attend School in the U.S.?
News about student visas has been all over the media lately. Between canceled visa interviews, talk of banning foreign enrollment at some universities, and general chaos around F-1 visas, many families and […]
Japanese Companies Face Delays in E-2 Visa Processing
When a Japanese company makes the decision to expand its investment into the U.S., there is usually a plan in place. The plan often involves setting up the business, moving a key […]
Preparing for Enforcement of the Alien Registration Act
A quiet vacation. A temporary work project. A visit with family. Millions of people visit the United States for more than 30 days every year without planning to stay long-term. However, as […]