Blog - Antone, Casagrande & Adwers, P.C

Legal Battles Over Immigration Policy: What Businesses Should Watch in 2026

Published on: February 13, 2026

In 2026, the U.S. immigration system is not just a policy issue — it’s a legal battleground. A series of high-stakes lawsuits are challenging recent government actions on visa fees, processing pauses, and consular restrictions. These legal clashes have major...

Why the New H-1B Policy Matters for Businesses in 2026

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In 2025 and into 2026, the U.S. government introduced sweeping changes to the H-1B work visa program — moves that are reshaping how companies plan to hire foreign talent. For businesses that depend on highly skilled international workers, understanding these...

How Tech Companies Are Responding to H-1B Fee Changes

Published on: February 12, 2026

In late 2025, a landmark shift in U.S. immigration policy upended how companies hire foreign professionals. A $100,000 employer fee was introduced on certain new H-1B visa filings. This dramatic cost increase has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and beyond,...

A Practical Guide to Navigating Continuous Visa Vetting and AI Screening

Published on: January 29, 2026

In today’s increasingly digital global economy, immigration systems are evolving fast — and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of that transformation. For global mobility and HR teams managing corporate relocation and visa programs, understanding how AI-powered vetting and...

The Future of the H-1B Program: Wage-Weighted Selection vs. the Traditional Lottery

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For many years, the H-1B visa program allowed U.S. employers to petition for highly skilled foreign professionals when qualified U.S. workers were unavailable. Enrollment consistently exceeded the annual statutory cap, prompting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to allocate visas...

What Enhanced DHS Immigration Enforcement Means for HR Compliance

Published on: January 28, 2026

In recent years, U.S. employers have faced an increasingly vigilant Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its enforcement arms, particularly regarding worksite immigration compliance. With a renewed focus on tightening audits — especially Form I-9 inspections — HR leaders must adapt...

How the New $100,000 H-1B Fee Will Transform Employer Hiring Strategies in 2026

Published on: January 23, 2026

In late 2025, the U.S. government introduced a landmark change to the H-1B visa system: a one-time $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. This dramatic increase, far beyond traditional filing costs, is...

The End of Visa Interview Waivers: How It Affects Business Travelers and Remote Workers

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In a significant shift for global mobility, the U.S. Department of State has effectively ended the broad visa interview waiver (often called “dropbox”) program for most nonimmigrant visas, beginning September 2, 2025, which was then updated September 18, 2025. Under...

Department of State Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing from 75 Countries

Published on: January 15, 2026

On January 14, after media reports of a forthcoming pause, the Department of State announced that it will be pausing the issuance of immigrant visas at consulates for 75 countries which will go into effect on January 21. This pause...

USCIS Expansion of Processing Hold for all High-Risk Countries

Published on: January 7, 2026

On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum to place a hold on all pending benefit applications for noncitizens listed Presidential Proclamation 10998. This Memorandum expands the existing USCIS processing hold to include the countries added to the high-risk...