Tenzin Consultancy Services

04/28/2026

IMP: ANNUAL ASYLUM FEE

On July 22, 2025, USCIS published a Federal Register notice implementing a filing fee for Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) to be paid each calendar year an asylum application remains pending.

Annual Asylum Fee

In an effort to satisfy the statutory mandate that DHS require payment of the AAF, the interim final rule establishes that if an alien does not pay the AAF within 30 days of notification, USCIS will reject their pending asylum application. If an alien does not have legal status in the U.S., USCIS will also initiate the alien’s removal.

If USCIS rejects an alien’s asylum application, the following additional consequences apply:

USCIS will deny any pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, based on the asylum application; and
Aliens who were approved to work based on the pending application will lose work authorization immediately.

03/23/2026

The new law, which took effect on Saturday, makes it illegal for a New York food store or retail establishment to refuse payment in cash for goods or services.

Under the new law, consumers cannot be forced to pay by credit card or use an alternative cashless transaction method to complete their purchase. Businesses also cannot charge consumers a higher price should they choose to pay in cash.

With the new law in place, New York Attorney General Letitia James is reminding consumers of their rights.

“New Yorkers have a right to service no matter how they choose to pay,” said James in a press release on Friday.

They also cannot charge consumers a higher price if they pay in cash. Stores that violate the new law will face maximum civil penalties of $1,000 for the first violation and $1,500 for each succeeding violation.

The new law has a few exceptions:

* Stores do not have to accept bills in denominations above twenty dollars

* Stores do not have to accept cash for orders made by telephone, mail, or internet, unless that transaction takes place at the store

* The new law also does not apply if a store provides a device on its premises to convert cash into a prepaid card. However, the store cannot charge a fee or require that the prepaid card be loaded with a minimum amount above one dollar. 

02/09/2026

When you renew your U.S. passport through Online Passport Renewal you do NOT need to mail in your old passport, BUT remember that your old passport will be automatically cancelled and CANNOT be used for international travel (even before your new one arrives). Make sure you are on the official ‘.gov’ site before applying.

01/14/2026

This list includes Bhutan and Nepal

The suspension specifically applies to U.S. immigrant visas for foreigners seeking to live in the United States but not to short-term visa applicants such as tourists or students.

01/12/2026

https://youtu.be/fE00X4y2wJI?si=9FWNQP2Er1ckAfda

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12/25/2025

11/29/2025

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxweyy157go

The directive comes hours after President Trump said the US will pause migration from "third-world countries".

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍽

11/08/2025

The list of conditions cited includes, but is not limited to cardiovascular diseases; respiratory diseases; cancers; diabetes; metabolic diseases; neurological diseases; and mental health conditions

US News: TOI correspondent from Washington: Foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to the United States could now be denied visas and green cards based on pre-.

10/06/2025

Scholarship for Refugee and Students

Learn more about a new program for refugees who resettled to the United States on or after January 1, 2021. Now accepting student applications through October 22