HemMigration Solutions, New York, NY (2026)

10/16/2025

🛑📢📢Public Service Announcement 📢📢🛑

This information is curreht as of today, October 16, 2025.

If someone you know might, or has been, taken/held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for an immigration violation or deportation, you can use the ICE detainee locator to try and find them.

To locate anyone currently held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), use the Online Detainee Locator System, you can either enter the person's:
* Name, country of birth, and birth date, or
* 9-digit A-number, which may be printed on correspondences from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Executive Office for Immigration Review
If you cannot find someone who has been detained by immigration using the online system, contact an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office. If you know the facility where the person is being held, contact the immigration detention facility directly.

If the person is not in the system, wait a day for updates and then try calling the appropriate ICE ERO field office. You can also contact the person's consulate for assistance. Or the senate or congressional official in their district.

P.S. Edited to add that links are seeminly not clickable as posted. Copy and paste these in your browser/internet search bar; To use the Online Detainee Locator System,

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office.

immigration detention facility

07/14/2025

The recently enacted OBBBA (Big Beautiful Bill legislation) introduces significant fee increases that will create substantial financial barriers for individuals seeking humanitarian immigration relief:

→ Asylum Applications: New $100 non-waivable filing fee, plus an additional $100 annual fee for each year the case remains pending - essentially penalizing applicants for government processing delays

→ Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Now requires a minimum $250 fee for protection previously available at no cost to vulnerable children facing abandonment, abuse, or neglect

→ Border crossing penalty: New minimum fee of $5,000

→ Employment Authorization: $550 non-waivable fee for initial work permit applications based on asylum, parole, or TPS status; renewal applications carry a minimum non-waivable fee of $275

→ Immigration Court Proceedings:
• BIA appeals jump from $110 to $900
• Motions to reopen/reconsider increase from $110-$145 to $900
• Cancellation of removal for permanent residents rises from $130 to $600
• Cancellation of removal for non-permanent residents escalates from $130 to $1,500
• $5,000 fee if ordered removed 'in absentia' i.e. if an immigration judge orders someone who did not appear in court removed

These changes took effect on July 4, 2025, immediately upon presidential signature.
Stay in the know .

Credit - Dr. Daren Johnson

06/09/2025

The travel ban on nineteen (19) countries issued by President Trump goes into effect TODAY June, 9, 2025.

It immediately bars the entry of nationals from twelve (12) countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

This new policy ban will exempt lawful permanent residents, diplomats, certain athletes participating in major sporting events, persons with valid visas issued BEFORE the effective date, and others.

The entry of people from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, will also be partially restricted.

Trump, a Republican, said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a "large-scale presence of terrorists," fail to cooperate on visa security, have an inability to verify travelers' identities, as well as inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the United States.

Chad President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said he had instructed his government to stop granting visas to U.S. citizens in response to Trump's action. “Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride.”

Afghans who worked for the U.S. or U.S.-funded projects and were hoping to resettle in the U.S. expressed fear that the travel ban would force them to return to their country, where they could face reprisal from the Taliban government .

Of interest, all these countries are presently experiencing political unrest and turmoil, wars, and genocides. This policy change might effectively prevent them from applying to the USA for refugee status.

04/29/2025

USCIS Forms Update Notice
04/28/2025

Recently updated USCIS form(s):

Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
01/20/2025 12:58 PM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country
01/20/2025 09:34 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 10/17/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative
01/20/2025 09:29 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 10/17/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor
01/20/2025 09:24 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor
01/20/2025 09:17 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
01/20/2025 09:05 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
01/20/2025 09:00 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-698, Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA)
01/20/2025 08:56 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status
01/20/2025 08:46 AM EST

Edition Date: 01/20/25. Starting May 28, 2025, we will accept only the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

03/10/2025

USCIS Forms Update Notice
03/08/2025
Good afternoon,

We recently updated the following USCIS form(s):

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
03/04/2025 11:37 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/04/25. Starting 4/4/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records
03/04/2025 11:37 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/04/25. Starting 4/4/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-485 Supplement J, Confirmation of Valid Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j)
03/03/2025 11:45 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/03/25. Starting 4/3/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-485 Supplement A, Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)
03/03/2025 11:44 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/03/25. Starting 4/3/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
03/03/2025 11:37 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/03/25. Starting 4/3/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
03/03/2025 11:37 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/03/25. Starting 5/5/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form G-325A, Biographic Information (for Deferred Action)
03/03/2025 11:35 AM EST

Edition Date: 03/03/25. Starting 4/3/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-356, Request for Cancellation of Public Charge Bond
02/24/2025 12:09 PM EST

Edition Date: 02/24/25. Starting 3/24/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status
02/24/2025 11:36 AM EST

Edition Date: 02/24/25. Starting 3/24/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole
02/24/2025 11:36 AM EST

Edition Date: 02/24/25. Starting 3/24/25 we will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).

For more information, please visit our Forms Updates page.

02/01/2025

Information from the “ACLU”

The Constitution protects everyone, (regardless of immigration status) from discrimination based on race or national origin. In the United States, everyone is entitled to certain protections, including the right to be treated fairly in court, to free speech, religious freedom, and other core civil rights.

Your Basic Rights During a Home Raid
* Stay calm.
* You do not have to open your door. If you wish to assert your rights, you should keep your door closed and speak to agents through the door.
* Ask the agents who they are and what they are there for.
* Sometimes agents will use a ruse or false information, so be extra cautious!
* If you do not speak English and the agents do not speak your language, ask for an interpreter.
* If the agents want to enter, ask them if they have a warrant signed by a judge. An administrative warrant of removal from immigration authorities is not enough.
* If they say they have a warrant, ask them to slip the warrant under the door.
* Look at the top and at the signature line to see if it was issued by a court and signed by a judge. or issued by DHS or ICE and signed by a DHS or ICE employee. ONLY a court warrant signed by a judge allows entry into your premises.
* Read and review the warrant carefully. Do not open your door unless ICE shows you a warrant naming a person in your residence and/or areas to be searched at your address.
* In all other cases, keep the door closed and state clearly: “I do not consent to your entry.”
* If agents force their way in anyway, do not attempt to resist. State clearly: “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.” Everyone in the residence may also exercise the right to remain silent.
* Do not lie or show false documents.
* Do not sign any papers without speaking to a lawyer.

What to do if you are Detained by ICE
* You have a right to an attorney, however, neither ICE nor any government agent has to provide you one. If you do not have an attorney, ask for a list of providers of free or low cost legal services.
* You have a right to communicate with your consulate or to have an agent notify your consulate of your arrest.
* Let the agent know you wish to remain silent. Do not speak about your immigration status or why you are in the U.S. with anyone other than your attorney.
* Do not sign anything! If you sign a document without first speaking with an attorney, you may be waiving an opportunity to remain in the U.S.
* Stay calm at all times. As much as possible, try to remain calm and think clearly despite being harassed or intimidated.
* Remember your immigration number (“A Number”) and share it with your family. This will help your family find you.
* Keep copies of all of your immigration documents with someone you trust.
* Do not provide any false documents or information, as they may be used against you in a deportation proceeding.

DIsclaimer; non-attorney. this is shared for information purposes and is not legal advice.

01/23/2025

USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants
01/22/2025

Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

01/14/2025

USCIS Updates Filing Procedures for Form I-140
01/13/2025

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice (FRN) providing updated procedures for submitting a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, accompanied by a permanent labor certification, application for Schedule A designation, or national interest waiver (NIW) request.

On June 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented a new system for permanent labor certifications, called the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG), and revised the Application for Permanent Employment Certification (Form ETA-9089) for use within the FLAG system. The revised Form ETA-9089 collects more detailed information about the job opportunity, including specific worksite locations, telecommuting options, and the foreign worker's qualifications. Employers who file Form ETA-9089 through the FLAG system and who receive a labor certification approval generally receive a 2-page Final Determination from DOL electronically.

The instructions to Form ETA-9089 state that only a signed Final Determination must be submitted with the Form I-140 petition as evidence of a permanent labor certification approval. This limited requirement is because, as a part of this process change, USCIS receives most of the information about the permanent labor certification directly from DOL under a data sharing agreement.

USCIS is announcing through this FRN that employers whose labor certifications were processed in the FLAG system must include a printed copy of the electronic Final Determination with their Form I-140, and that USCIS will consider this printed copy as an original, approved labor certification. The Final Determination must be completed and electronically signed by DOL, and must be signed by the foreign worker, employer, and the employer’s attorney or agent, if applicable. In addition, the FRN states that Form I-140 petitions for Schedule A occupations must contain a completed, uncertified Form ETA-9089, including all applicable appendices, a signed Final Determination, and a valid prevailing wage determination tracking number in Section E, Item 1 of the Form ETA-9089. Finally, the FRN states that a Form I-140 petition with an NIW request must contain a copy of the Form ETA-9089, Appendix A, and a signed Final Determination.

Since June 1, 2023, USCIS has been adjudicating Form I-140 petitions filed with permanent labor certification Final Determinations, Schedule A applications, and NIW requests using the edition of the Form ETA-9089 and applicable appendices, developed for the FLAG system, so this FRN does not change any operations or processes. Instead, this FRN is meant to make the public aware of the new documentary requirements for permanent labor certification approvals, Schedule A applications, and NIW requests submitted with Form I-140 petitions following the implementation of the FLAG system.

Find more information on the Petition Filing and Processing Procedures for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers and Checklist of Required Initial Evidence for Form I-140 webpages.

12/03/2024

USCIS Forms Update Notice
12/02/2024

USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):

Form I-485 Supplement A, Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)
08/28/2024 02:36 PM EDT

Edition Date: 08/28/24. M. We will also accept the 08/28/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-485 Supplement J, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j)
08/28/2024 02:36 PM EDT

Edition Date: 08/28/24. M. We will also accept the 08/28/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
08/28/2024 12:59 PM EDT

Edition Date: 08/28/24. M. We will also accept the 08/28/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit our Forms Updates page.

11/28/2024

DHS, DOL Make Nearly 65,000 Additional H-2B Visas Available for Fiscal Year 2025
11/27/2024

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a temporary final rule (TFR) making available an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2025. These supplemental visas are aimed at helping U.S. employers who are unable to find U.S. workers who are available, willing, and qualified to do the temporary work in industries such as hospitality and tourism, landscaping, seafood processing, and many other sectors. DHS, in coordination with DOL, has authorized supplemental cap numbers in FY 2017, FY 2018, FY 2019, FY 2021, FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024 in accordance with the time-limited statutory authority granted for each of those fiscal years by Congress.

“There are employers across the country that would suffer greatly without H-2B workers. Authorizing these supplemental visas helps U.S. employers fill those positions,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “It helps fuel our economy and reduce irregular migration while also providing a safe and lawful pathway to the United States for noncitizens who are prepared to work.”

The supplemental H-2B visa allocation consists of roughly 44,700 visas available to returning workers who received an H-2B visa or held H-2B status in FY 2022, FY 2023, or FY 2024, regardless of their country of nationality. The remaining 20,000 visas are reserved for nationals of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, regardless of whether they are returning workers.

The supplemental H-2B visas have been divided into the following four allocations:

First half of FY 2025 (Oct. 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025): 20,716 immediately available visas are limited to returning workers – those who were issued H-2B visas or held H-2B status in fiscal years 2022, 2023, or 2024, regardless of country of nationality. These petitions must request employment start dates on or before March 31, 2025.
Early second half of FY 2025 (April 1, 2025, to May 14, 2025): 19,000 visas are limited to returning workers – those who were issued H-2B visas or held H-2B status in fiscal years 2022, 2023, or 2024, regardless of country of nationality. These early second half of FY 2025 petitions must request employment start dates from April 1, 2025, to May 14, 2025.
Late second half of FY 2025 (May 15, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2025): 5,000 visas are limited to returning workers - those who were issued H-2B visas or held H-2B status in fiscal years 2022, 2023, or 2024, regardless of country of nationality. These late second half of FY 2025 petitions must request employment start dates from May 15, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2025.
Entirety of FY 2025: 20,000 visas immediately available are reserved for nationals of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, regardless of whether those nationals are returning workers. Employers requesting an employment start date in the first half of FY 2025 may file their petitions immediately after the publication of this TFR. Employers requesting an employment start date in the second half of FY 2025 must file their petitions no earlier than 15 days after the second half statutory cap is reached.
Employers seeking to hire H-2B workers under the FY 2025 supplemental cap must attest that they are suffering or will suffer impending irreparable harm without the ability to employ all of the H-2B workers requested on the petition. Employers seeking to hire H-2B workers must take a series of steps to test the U.S. labor market. They must provide certification from DOL that proves there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work for which they seek a prospective foreign worker, and that employing the H-2B workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

It is critically important to protect H-2B workers from exploitation and abuse. The temporary final rule features several provisions to protect H-2B workers. DHS will subject employers that have committed certain labor law violations in the H-2B program to additional scrutiny in the supplemental cap petition process. This additional scrutiny is aimed at ensuring compliance with H-2B program requirements and obligations. Further, on Sept. 20, 2023, DHS published a notice of proposed rulemaking to modernize and improve both the H-2B and H-2A programs, including by providing greater flexibility and protections for participating workers.

The H-2B program permits employers to temporarily hire noncitizens to perform nonagricultural labor or services in the United States. The employment must be for a limited period of time, and the petitioner must have a temporary need for services or labor to be performed, that is, a one-time occurrence, peak load need, seasonal need, or intermittent need.

11/15/2024

USCIS Updates Guidance on Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence Requirement for Naturalization
11/14/2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that a naturalization applicant’s burden to demonstrate they have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence applies only to their initial admission as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or adjustment to LPR status.

USCIS is updating Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2 in the Policy Manual to clarify that an applicant for naturalization must show that they have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence in accordance with all immigration laws in effect at the time of admission or adjustment. Consistent with the 4th Circuit Decision in Azumah v. USCIS, 107 F.4th 272 (4th Cir. 2024), USCIS will consider whether a naturalization applicant was lawfully admitted for permanent residence or was lawfully adjusted to permanent resident status at the time of their initial admission or adjustment, regardless of whether they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of any subsequent reentries to the United States.

This guidance, contained in Volume 12 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after the publication date.

For more information, see the Policy Alert.

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