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The O-1 Advisory Opinion Mistake That Keeps Generating RFEs (And How to Fix It)
If you're filing an O-1 visa petition in a field without a traditional union or peer group, there's a small mistake that's generating RFEs left and right—and it's completely avoidable. I see this issue constantly on cases prepared by other attorneys that land on my desk after USCIS kicks them back. It's a simple fix on the front end, but an unnecessary delay if you miss it. Let me explain what's happening and how to get it right. The Mistake When there's no union or peer grou

Lucia Maxwell
Jan 234 min read


After the Visa Pause Leak: What the Department of State Has Now Clarified For Immigrant Visa Processing for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage
After days of uncertainty following leaked reports, the Department of State has issued official guidance clarifying the scope of the new U.S. visa pause. This update breaks down what the policy affects, what it does not, and why the distinction matters.

Lucia Maxwell
Jan 162 min read


USCIS Adjudication Holds in 2026: What the New Policy Means for Immigration Cases
Over the past several weeks, I’ve seen many clients and colleagues grapple with the practical impact of the USCIS policy memo that took effect on January 1, 2026 , directing adjudicative holds on certain immigration benefit applications . These developments have created real uncertainty on the ground, especially for clients from countries designated as “high-risk” under the relevant Presidential Proclamations. What the Policy Actually Does USCIS’s Policy Memorandum PM-602-01

Lucia Maxwell
Jan 83 min read
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