Simon, Choi & Tuohy IMMIGRATION LAW UPDATE September 1, 2026  •  Covering July 31 – August 31, 2026 It's been an eventful four weeks in immigration law. Below is a plain-language rundown of six developments most likely to affect our clients, along with what we're watching next. VISA PROCESSING  •  AUGUST 27 State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide On August 25, U.S. consulates worldwide were instructed to postpone immigrant visa interviews. Applicants with pending appointments should expect delays and should watch for updated scheduling notices rather than assuming their interview date still stands. Read the full alert → EMPLOYER-SPONSORED VISAS  •  AUGUST 25 DHS Proposes a $103,265 Fee on Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions $103,265 proposed fee per cap-subject H-1B petition This follows the $100,000 H-1B fee introduced in 2025, which sparked confusion across the employer community about scope and timing. Employers planning cap-subject filings should budget for this now and confirm with us which petitions the fee would apply to. Read the full alert → COURT WATCH  •  AUGUST 24 Immigrant Visa Ban Struck Down by Federal Judge A federal judge has ruled against the State Department's January 2026 pause on immigrant visa processing from 75 countries. We're monitoring whether the ruling is appealed and what it means for applicants from the affected countries in practice. Read the full alert → TRAVEL & ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS  •  AUGUST 18 New BIA Decision Impacts Those with Unlawful Presence The Board of Immigration Appeals has overturned a 2012 precedent that immigration attorneys have long relied on to help clients with pending adjustment applications travel abroad on advance parole. USCIS has already updated its guidance to reflect the change. If you hold advance parole and have any period of unlawful presence in your history, talk to us before booking travel. Read the full alert → USCIS POLICY  •  AUGUST 18 USCIS Issues Guidance on the New Public Charge Rule USCIS has updated its Policy Manual to explain how the new public charge standard will be applied to benefits and green card applications. If you have an application pending or planned, this is worth a conversation with your attorney before filing. Read the full alert → ENFORCEMENT  •  JULY 31 ICE Increasing Apprehensions at U.S. Airports Travelers have grown accustomed to a heightened ICE presence at airports, and ICE has begun conducting arrests that were previously rare in that setting. Non-citizens with any uncertainty about their status should talk with an attorney before flying domestically or internationally. Read the full alert → FIRM NEWS All three of our partners — Nicole Simon, Yuah Jessica Choi, and Emma Tuohy — were recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America on August 20. On August 13, Emma Tuohy was featured as an expert source in the Philadelphia Inquirer's reporting on record deportation orders. Request a Consultation Questions about how any of this affects your case? Reply to this email or reach us at 215.925.0705. Simon, Choi & Tuohy 190 N. Independence Mall West, Suite 501 (6th & Race Sts.), Philadelphia, PA 19106 215.925.0705  |  info@lhscimmigration.com This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Full disclaimer  |  Unsubscribe