Family Litigation Articles

New U.S. State Department Directive Updates Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing at U.S. Embassy/Consulate https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/overcome-visa-denial.jpg 849 565 Elsie Hui Arias Elsie Hui Arias https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4ec7ccb2fcbe3d6b076576abb9e830b6e693abd48baf31e78530dad8809c0764?s=96&d=mm&r=g September 10, 2025 February 4, 2026

Elsie Hui Arias
September 10, 2025

New U.S. State Department Directive Updates Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing at U.S. Embassy/Consulate

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all foreign nationals scheduling appointments for nonimmigrant visas (e.g. F-1, H-1B, L-1, E-2, etc.) at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The following policies are effective as of September 6, 2025: Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S.…

New USCIS Policy Places Heavier Scrutiny On “Good Moral Character” Requirement For Naturalization https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/passport-315266_1280.jpg 1269 1280 Elsie Hui Arias Elsie Hui Arias https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4ec7ccb2fcbe3d6b076576abb9e830b6e693abd48baf31e78530dad8809c0764?s=96&d=mm&r=g August 20, 2025 August 20, 2025

Elsie Hui Arias
August 20, 2025

New USCIS Policy Places Heavier Scrutiny On “Good Moral Character” Requirement For Naturalization

Reflecting a trend under the new administration to narrow eligibility for certain U.S. immigration benefits, USCIS issued a new policy memorandum on August 15, 2025 which directs its officers to place a heavier burden on applicants for naturalization to establish that they satisfy the good moral character requirement for U.S. citizenship. As background, lawful permanent…

USCIS Narrows Eligibility for Children Under Child Status Protection Act https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/family-travel.jpg 1280 854 Candice Garrett Candice Garrett https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e8a46cebfa8b3edcb43f8a25ffed9eb7656d3715b1e8b0bc6a209c9f6ece3c37?s=96&d=mm&r=g August 14, 2025 February 4, 2026

Candice Garrett
August 14, 2025

USCIS Narrows Eligibility for Children Under Child Status Protection Act

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced an update to its Policy Manual regarding the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which reverts back to its pre-February 14, 2023 policy. As background, for immigration purposes, a “child” is an unmarried individual who is under 21 years old. A person who is older than 21 years is ineligible…

U.S. Borders Reopening to Fully Vaccinated Travelers on November 8, 2021 https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/travel-g4d023f325_1920.jpg 1920 1231 Susan Pilcher Susan Pilcher https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f7e49eabcac8580ae522d6b948feb99f6dc509a153706e152d434a0f4cae390?s=96&d=mm&r=g October 15, 2021 October 15, 2021

Susan Pilcher
October 15, 2021

U.S. Borders Reopening to Fully Vaccinated Travelers on November 8, 2021

The White House has announced that widespread country-specific travel bans will be rescinded effective November 8, 2021 for fully vaccinated travelers. Formal guidance has not yet been issued, but it is expected to apply equally to air travel and land borders. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), COVID-19 vaccines accepted…

Presidential Proclamation 10199 Bans Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants Present in India https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/corona-4971013_1280.jpg 1280 905 Barbara Stone Barbara Stone https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/356551734d8e44911a51c046b94c618968021eb990ef0d30bf944dc61958fa8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g May 11, 2021 January 10, 2022

Barbara Stone
May 11, 2021

Presidential Proclamation 10199 Bans Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants Present in India

In light of the surging COVID-19 infections in India, President Biden has authorized a travel ban for certain nonimmigrants present in India. Specifically, beginning May 4, 2021, the entry of nonimmigrants who have been present in India during the 14 days preceding their entry to the United States is prohibited under Presidential Proclamation 10199, “Suspension…

President Biden Revokes COVID-19 Related Immigrant Visa Ban But Leaves in Place Other Travel Bans https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/overcome-visa-denial.jpg 849 565 Barbara Stone Barbara Stone https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/356551734d8e44911a51c046b94c618968021eb990ef0d30bf944dc61958fa8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 2, 2021 January 10, 2022

Barbara Stone
March 2, 2021

President Biden Revokes COVID-19 Related Immigrant Visa Ban But Leaves in Place Other Travel Bans

On February 24, 2021, President Biden issued an order revoking Presidential Proclamation 10014, which had banned the issuance of immigrant visas to most foreign nationals. Former President Trump issued Presidential Proclamation 10014 on April 22, 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It prevented the entry into the United States of individuals with…

Federal Court Blocks USCIS Fee Increase https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/supreme-court-545534_1920.jpg 1920 1440 Taiyyeba Safri Skomra Taiyyeba Safri Skomra https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9ec6a7d74aa418b1d020307057eb5412fce7d240b623e94a9492a04df13b6915?s=96&d=mm&r=g September 30, 2020 September 30, 2020

Taiyyeba Safri Skomra
September 30, 2020

Federal Court Blocks USCIS Fee Increase

The federal courts step in again to halt the executive branch from harming the interests of immigrants and organizations that serve them. Eight non-profit organizations[1] dedicated to serving immigrants sued to stop the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) from increasing its filing fees for immigration benefits. Today, September 29, 2020, Judge White of U.S. District…