On this page

          Share Blogs

          Easily deny visas

          Easily deny visas

          In less than two months, the Trump administration will be able to easily deny visas.

          Since last Friday, anyone who reviews visa applications or petitions has the discretion to deny requests without seeking additional evidence that might be needed to complete an application, or issuing a notice stating the intent to deny a request.

          This change becomes effective September 11.

          The memo issued on Friday means the government can deny visas if applications do not include all the necessary information when submitted. It also lets the government deny visas without specifying what additional information would have been completed the application.

          It rescinds a guidance from 2013 that outlined the process for requesting more information or issuing notice about the intent to deny a visa request. The process of requesting more information granted applicants more time to complete applications if something was missing. It also created a constructive dialogue between immigration lawyers and USCIS on applications for visas.


          The memo applies to most visas. However, this new policy does not apply to processing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) requests.

          This change is setting immigration advocacy groups and immigration lawyers on high alert. We worry that the change will lead to more denials without knowing why, creating more uncertainty for immigrants.

          Related posts

          Quick Answer

          The U.S. Department of Labor announced on October 8, 2026 that it will stop accepting new PERM applications and stop processing pending ones involving Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini. The action targets one step of the employer-sponsored green card process at eight named employers. H-1B visas are not suspended, PERM remains open to other employers and nothing in the announcement cancels approved I-140 petitions. No end date has been given.

          Summary

          • The suspension covers PERM labor certification for eight named employers and is not a nationwide halt.
          • New filings are blocked and pending applications are frozen, which is legally different from a denial.
          • The Labor Department has not published a written notice or named the regulation it is relying on.
          • Officials did not address PERM cases already certified, approved I-140 petitions or pending I-485 applications.
          • Microsoft and TCS have responded publicly. Most of the other companies have not.
          • What a worker should do next depends on the stage the case had reached before October 8.

          Ready to Resolve Your Immigration Issue?

          Whether it’s a work visa, green card, citizenship, or deportation defense, our Atlanta immigration attorneys are ready to help you find the best path forward.

          Get a Free Case Evaluation

          Tell us about your case. An attorney will review it and get back to you.

            Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

            Prefer to talk?