Policy Updates
Immigration policy changes from the Federal Register, explained in plain language.
EOIR Mandates E-Filing for Immigration Enforcement Cases at OCAHO Starting Now
The Justice Department's immigration review office just flipped a switch — electronic filing is now required for cases before OCAHO, the tribunal that handles employer immigration violations. If you're an employer, attorney, or HR professional involved in I-9 audits or employer sanctions cases, your paperwork process just changed. The rule is already in effect, but comments are open until April 1.
EOIR Requires Electronic Filing for Immigration Enforcement Cases at OCAHO
The Justice Department's immigration court arm is going digital: all cases before the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO) must now be filed electronically. The rule took effect immediately on March 2, 2026, changing how employers, workers, and attorneys submit documents in I-9, immigration discrimination, and civil penalty cases. If you're involved in an OCAHO proceeding, your filing process just changed.
USCIS Raising Premium Processing Fees on March 1 — What H-1B Filers Must Know
USCIS is hiking its premium processing fees starting March 1, 2026, driven by two years of inflation. If you're planning to file for expedited processing of an H-1B or other employment-based petition, anything postmarked on or after March 1 must include the new, higher fee — or it could be rejected.
USCIS Raises Premium Processing Fees March 1, 2026 to Keep Pace with Inflation
USCIS is increasing its premium processing fees effective March 1, 2026, adjusting for inflation from June 2023 through June 2025. The fee hike follows a congressionally mandated biennial adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index. Anyone filing Form I-907 on or after March 1 must use the new, higher fees.
DHS Overhauls H-1B Lottery: Higher Pay Now Means Better Odds Starting FY2027
The H-1B lottery is no longer truly random. Starting with the FY2027 registration season, DHS will give higher-paid applicants better odds of selection — meaning your salary level could determine whether you even get a shot at the cap. Here's exactly how the new weighted system works and what it means for workers and employers.