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On October 20, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance on the Presidential Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, which imposed an additional $100,000 payment as a prerequisite for certain new H-1B Petitions filed on or after 12:01AM Eastern on September 21, 2025.

For more details, refer to our September

On Friday, September 19, President Trump issued a proclamation announcing the Gold Card program to facilitate the entry of people who have demonstrated their ability and desire to advance the interests of the United States by voluntarily providing a significant financial gift to the United States (The Gold Card – The White House).

On Friday, September 19, President Trump issued a proclamation imposing a new $100,000 fee on certain H-1B employers and beneficiaries. See Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers – The White House. The proclamation became effective 12:01 a.m. EDT Sunday, September 21, 2025 and expires after twelve months but may be extended.
 
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We are pleased to share with you The Global Employer – Global Immigration & Mobility Quarterly Update, a collection of key updates from Colombia, Italy, Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Click here to view.

We are pleased to share with you The Global Employer – Global Immigration & Mobility Quarterly Update, a collection of key updates from Czech Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Click here to view.

Recent media coverage highlights incidents relating to enhanced vetting and potential travel bans of foreign nationals by State and Homeland Security officials at US Consulates and US ports of entry. Several countries have issued travel advisories for the United States. While the reported cases impact a limited number of individual travelers, the widespread news has

President Trump has taken quick action to ramp up immigration enforcement in his first days in office. While Trump’s early focus on deportations and border security is not new, the swift and aggressive enforcement approach represents a significant change as compared to prior administrations. These actions have led to arrests and heightened concerns among employers and employees alike.

What do employers need to know?

Since Trump’s inauguration, there has been a significant increase in targeted enforcement measures against individuals present in the United States who are not U.S. citizens who have a criminal record, and also recent arrivals to the United States who do not hold lawful immigration status. The vast majority of immigration enforcement since January 20 has occurred in private residences and public spaces, though there have been immigration enforcement actions at worksites. There have not been reports of wide-scale worksite raids yet, though the focus may shift to worksite inspections in the next wave of enforcement activities.

Worksite enforcement inspections can take a variety of shapes. In particular, employers should be prepared for the following:

  • Fraud audits in relation to employer-sponsored visa holders;
  • Administrative I-9 audits;
  • Arrests of targeted individuals; or
  • Raids based on suspicion of undocumented workers at worksite facility.

Continue Reading The Post-Inauguration Playbook: Spotlight on Immigration Enforcement and Raids

President-elect Trump’s announced (and rumored) Cabinet member selections confirm that immigration enforcement will be a top priority from day one. With less than two months before inauguration day, US employers should take action now to ensure they are compliant with immigration regulations, are prepared for worksite ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) or DOJ (Department of Justice) raids or enforcement activity and are ready to respond to government investigations or employee complaints regarding the employment of foreign workers.

We recommend the following three steps:

1. Conduct an Internal I-9 Audit

We expect to see a significant rise in worksite inspection and I-9 audits from the incoming administration. All employers are required to verify the work authorization of all employees in the United States by completing and maintaining the Form I-9. Employers should conduct internal I-9 audits every 2-3 years to identify potential liability and make necessary corrections; conducting an internal audit with counsel is a helpful tool to protect the audit under attorney/client privilege. Immediate steps employers can take include:

  • Conduct an internal I-9 audit if one has not been completed in the past 3 years.
  • Review current protocols and conduct internal training to ensure a consistent and complaint work verification procedure and prevent future errors.
  • Review electronic platforms to ensure they are complaint with I-9 regulations and audit ready.

Continue Reading The Pre-Inauguration Playbook: Steps US Employers Should Take to Ensure Immigration Compliance as We Enter a New Era of Enforcement