Immigration Law Blog
Stay up-to-date on the latest immigration law news, with the Cohen, Tucker & Ades team's insights behind the headlines
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Major USCIS Policy Shift: Why “Placeholder” Immigration Filings Will Now Be Denied Without Warning
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Direct Answer: On August 5, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Alert PA-2026-05, restoring full discretion to adjudicators to deny immigration applications directly without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if required initial […]
Read MoreStuck in a Visa Backlog? Why You Should Consider the EB-5 Investor Pathway Even with an Approved I-140
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Quick Summary Can you file an EB-5 petition if you already have an approved EB-2 or EB-3 I-140? Yes. Holding an approved employment-based immigrant visa petition (such as an I-140) does not preclude you from applying for an EB-5 investor […]
Read MoreNew U.S. Immigration Plan Considered to Restrict International Students From Working
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Key Takeaway: Recent U.S. policy proposals target the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign graduates. Measures being discussed include imposing high administrative fees (up to $100,000) on post-graduation work permits, shifting away from traditional “Duration of Status” student visa […]
Read MoreUnderstanding the DHS 2026 Public Charge Final Rule: Key Changes, Effective Dates, and What You Need to Know
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially published its 2026 Public Charge Final Rule. This regulation fundamental shifts how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) evaluates whether an applicant is “likely at any time to become a public charge” […]
Read MoreThe DOJ’s Proposed Immigration Contempt Rule Creates an Unfair Double Standard—Here Is How Cohen, Tucker + Ades Will Keep Fighting for You
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Key Takeaways What is the proposed rule? The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (RIN 1125-AB02 / Docket No. EOIR-26-AB02) authorizing Immigration Judges (IJs) to issue civil money penalties […]
Read MoreICE Arrests at Airports During Domestic Flights: What You Need to Know
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Quick Summary for Travelers: Recent reporting reveals a sharp increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions at domestic airports. Driven by agency-wide pressure to hit aggressive daily arrest targets—reported to be around 2,000 arrests per day—ICE is utilizing […]
Read MoreReceived a Section 221(g) Refusal Notice? Here Is What It Means and What to Do Next
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters If you walked out of your U.S. visa interview holding a refusal slip citing Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), your first reaction was likely panic. Seeing the word “Refused” on your Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) […]
Read MoreBeyond the Headlines: What the State Department Staffing Crisis Means for Your U.S. Visa Process
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Quick Takeaways: How the State Department Crisis Impacts Your Visa Key Takeaway: The Financial Times piece “RIP the U.S. State Department” (July 14, 2026) outlines a 20%+ reduction in Foreign Service personnel and widespread diplomatic vacancies. For nonimmigrant visa applicants, […]
Read MoreWhat the New USCIS Asylum Rule Means for Your Pending Application
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Key Takeaway: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented an interim final rule changing how affirmative asylum applications are handled. Under this policy, USCIS can bypass the standard asylum officer interview and send select cases directly to Executive Office […]
Read MoreIs Your AI Notetaker Secretly Destroying Your Attorney-Client Privilege?
By Wendy R. Barlow, Esq. | Partner at Cohen, Tucker + Ades Specializing in Complex Immigration Matters Quick Summary: Using third-party AI transcription or note-taking tools (such as Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Zoom AI Companion, or Microsoft Teams Copilot) during confidential attorney-client consultations can inadvertently waive attorney-client privilege. Because AI assistants stream audio data to external cloud servers […]
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