A federal judge has struck down the Trump administration’s controversial $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, ruling that the measure exceeded presidential authority and amounted to an unlawful tax. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston on 8 June, marks a significant setback for one
The U.S. immigration landscape shifted significantly on May 21, 2026, when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, reframing adjustment of status as “extraordinary relief” rather than a standard processing option for foreign nationals already living in the United States. The policy, announced publicly by USCIS on
The United States government has begun revoking passports of individuals with significant unpaid child support obligations as federal authorities increase enforcement under an existing law. According to the U.S. State Department, enforcement actions officially began on 8 May 2026 and initially target individuals owing more than US$100,000 in overdue child
Portugal’s President António José Seguro promulgated Portugal’s revised Nationality Law on May 3, 2026, confirming one of the most significant changes to the country’s citizenship framework in decades. The law amends Law No. 37/81 of October 3, Portugal’s core Nationality Law, and will enter into force on the day after
Switzerland is once again emerging as a preferred destination for global capital, but this time, the shift is being driven by geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Recent reports show that wealthy individuals, family offices, and companies based in the Gulf, particularly in Dubai, are increasingly turning to Zug, a
German men aged 17 to 45 must now obtain approval from the Bundeswehr before leaving the country for more than three months, under provisions that took effect on January 1, 2026, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defense confirmed. The requirement forms part of the Military Service Modernization Act (Wehrdienstmodernisierungsgesetz), which expands
Something significant is shifting in the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the European Union, and it centers on a question that grows more complicated every year, who gets access to your personal data, and on what terms. A proposed framework called the Enhanced Border Security Partnership (EBSP) sits
The United States will pause immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, according to U.S. Department of State guidance. The pause applies to immigrant visas issued at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, meaning visas that lead to lawful permanent residence in the United States. It
Portugal’s Constitutional Court has declared several important parts of the country’s new citizenship (nationality) law unconstitutional, while not striking down the broader reform that would extend the time required to apply for citizenship for most foreign residents. The decision creates ongoing uncertainty about how the new rules will apply, especially
On December 2, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM 602 0192 that immediately halts all immigration benefit applications filed by people from 19 designated high risk countries and suspends processing of all asylum claims. The freeze applies to green card applications, permanent resident renewals,
