Navigating the Government Shutdown: What H-1B Workers and Employers Must Do Now
The current government shutdown presents unusual challenges for H-1B workers and their employers. Here's what you need to know immediately:
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Visa Bulletin For November 2025
Number 8
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Recording for October 09, 2025 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Recording for October 02, 2025 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Immigration Impact of Government Shutdown
The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on October 1, 2025, the first shutdown in six years. After Congress failed to pass funding legislation before the September 30th deadline, all non-essential federal functions have been suspended.
For those navigating the US immigration system, this creates both disruptions and uncertainty. However, not all immigration services are affected equally. Understanding what's operating, what's shut down, and what you need to do right now is critical.
Recording for September 25, 2025 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Proclamation Restricting Entry of H-1B Nonimmigrant Workers: A Legal Analysis of the New $100,000 Payment Requirement
Question details
Given the Proclamation's requirement for a $100,000 payment for new H-1B visa petitions, what are the primary legal and operational challenges for U.S. employers, and what legal strategies are available to mitigate potential adverse impacts on staffing and business operations?
On Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation, "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers," that took an important, initial, and incremental step to reform the H-1B visa program to curb abuses and protect American workers.
This Proclamation:
Rajiv's Comments in The Times of India - Trump administration unveils 'Project Firewall' to crack down on H-1B visa abuse
Published by: The Times of India - September 23, 2025
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Critics, however, caution that the new initiative could have unintended consequences. Speaking to TOI, Rajiv S. Khanna, managing attorney at Immigration.com, said that while the goal of protecting American workers is “laudable,” the initiative risks overreach.
Rajiv's Comments in The South China Morning Post - India’s tech sector fears impact of Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa on US market
Published by: The South China Morning Post -23 September, 2025
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
“The imposition of a US$100,000 fee on H-1B visas represents an unprecedented shift in US immigration policy,” said Rajiv Khanna, a US lawyer providing immigration advisory services to global clients.
H-1B Proclamation Analysis: Understanding the $100,000 Fee and Entry Restrictions
What We Know So Far (This info will be continually updated with new developments)
Updates October 20th, 2025 from the USCIS
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations
UPDATE: USCIS Issues More Detailed Guidance on $100,000 H-1B Payment Requirement