EB-3 Immigration Blog
Weekly immigration insights for EB-3 applicants, compiled from the latest news
EB-3 Weekly: Courts Reshape Immigration Rules (June 8–14, 2026)
Federal courts delivered a string of landmark rulings this week that could unfreeze thousands of stalled green card and work permit cases for nationals of 39 countries — while a new signature rule taking effect July 10 threatens to silently sink EB-3 filings that use DocuSign or electronic signatures. Meanwhile, persistent post-interview stalls and FBI background check holds continue to frustrate applicants whose cases appeared to be moving.
AOS Policy Shock: USCIS Memo Reframes Green Card Rules | May 25–31, 2026
USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, issued May 21–22, 2026, sent shockwaves through the EB-3 community by recharacterizing adjustment of status (AOS) as 'extraordinary relief' — but DHS also clarified that most law-abiding applicants won't be forced to leave the country. This week we break down what the memo actually says, what the DHS clarification means for your case, a hard June 15 PERM deadline for transportation employers, and why social media is now part of your immigration file.
EB-3 Week May 18–24, 2026: AOS Policy Upheaval, Retrogression & Exemptions
USCIS dropped a policy bombshell this week with Memo PM-602-0199, reframing Adjustment of Status (I-485) as "extraordinary relief" and pushing most green card applicants toward consular processing abroad — a seismic shift for the entire EB-3 community. Simultaneously, India EB-2 exhausted all FY2026 visa numbers, and the June 2026 Visa Bulletin brought retrogression pressure for India, China, and the Philippines. Here is what changed, what remains uncertain, and what every EB-3 applicant needs to watch right now.
EB-3 Weekly Briefing: May 4–10, 2026 — Vetting Pause, Visa Bulletin Shift & Consular Trap
This was one of the most consequential weeks for EB-3 applicants in recent memory. A sweeping USCIS security vetting pause triggered by Executive Order 14385 has stalled I-485 adjudications nationwide, while USCIS simultaneously switched to the more restrictive Final Action Dates chart for May — closing the filing window for thousands. At U.S. consulates abroad, a new State Department screening policy is creating a legal dilemma for visa applicants who fear returning home.