In That Case: Department of State v. Muñoz
Episode 315 - Boeing Pays $51 Million for ITAR Violations
Matt Silverman on Export Compliance
On June 4, 2025, the White House issued two presidential proclamations that impose new constraints on visa issuance and travel to the United States. These actions are expected to impact multinational employers, academic...more
On May 28, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students, “including...more
In a sudden move last week, the State Department stopped scheduling new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it rolls out enhanced social media screening procedures. The suspension, which...more
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has temporarily paused the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors applying for F, M and J visas. This directive, effective May 27, 2025, is part...more
On May 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued a directive to U.S. consulates globally to temporarily halt the issuance of F-1, M-1 and J-1 Exchange Visitor visas. This action is part of the current administration’s...more
The State Department ordered U.S. embassies and consulates to temporarily stop scheduling new student visa interviews for F, M and J visas worldwide in preparation for expanding vetting. The directive instructs diplomatic...more
F-1 status is reserved for individuals coming to the United States to pursue full-time study at an accredited college, university, seminary, high school/elementary school, or in a language training program. Both F-1 and M-1...more
Last week, an internal U.S. Department of State (DOS) correspondence pertaining to visa processing for international student and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J visa classifications was leaked and published by various...more
The Trump Administration has announced a series of potential changes affecting student visas that could alter how US companies can recruit and retain foreign nationals, particularly those entering the workforce following...more
The U.S. Department of State (State Department) has directed consular sections worldwide to suspend the scheduling of new interviews for international student and foreign exchange visitor visa applicants as it prepares to...more
On May 27, 2025, the Department of State issued a cable instructing U.S. Embassies and Consulates to pause scheduling new visa appointments for foreign nationals seeking to obtain student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and...more
On April 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of State launched two new tools to monitor immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interview availability: (1) the Immigrant Visa (IV) Scheduling Status Tool, and (2) the Global Visa Wait Times...more
In the past three months, the Trump administration has implemented a series of stringent immigration policies that have significantly impacted visa applicants and their sponsors. These measures include enhanced security...more
On April 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced it was taking immediate action to revoke all existing visas and ban the issuance of any new visas for all South Sudanese passport holders....more
As international travel regulations and immigration enforcement policies continue to evolve, it is critical that non-citizen employees entering the United States—including visa holders and lawful permanent residents—are...more
In recent weeks the Department of State (DOS) has taken steps to revoke visas and terminate the status of international students who have criminal infractions and/or who have engaged in activism. In light of this intense...more
WHAT: The Trump Administration released an Executive Order (EO) seeking to reform the U.S. systems for selling and transferring defense articles to ally and partner nations. The EO lists five policy objectives: (1) improving...more
The Department of State (DOS) has recently increased scrutiny of existing student visa holders and those requesting new student visas at U.S. consulates abroad. Some F-1 visas and SEVIS records have been rescinded or...more
The U.S. State Department’s “Catch and Revoke” program uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor foreign nationals, particularly student visa holders. The program aims to identify individuals who express support for Hamas,...more
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications chart in April 2025. The Final Action Dates chart reflects advancement in several...more
The Department of State announced it is restricting the eligibility for visa interview waiver appointments (commonly known as dropbox). To remain eligible for dropbox, applicants must be applying for a visa in the same...more
An article published by The New York Times on March 14, 2025, details a travel ban proposal under review by the Trump administration affecting 43 countries, categorized using a color-coded triage system (the “Article”). The...more
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has turned its attention to U.S. consulates and embassies abroad, resulting in a pared-down Visa Appointment Wait Times website and plans to close at least a dozen, mostly...more
On February 18, 2025, the US Department of State announced a new policy requiring more foreign nationals to attend in-person interviews to apply for nonimmigrant visas....more
The Department of State unexpectedly updated the requirements for nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility, effective February 18, 2025. The interview waiver program (also referred to as Dropbox) allows qualified visa...more