Headlines:
DOL Releases Lengthy-Anticipated Prevailing Wage Proposed Rule – The Division of Labor DOL launched a long-anticipated proposed rule that would considerably reshape prevailing wage necessities for H-1B, PERM, and associated packages.
DOS Publicizes Enlargement of Social Media Vetting to Extra Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications – Efficient March 30, the company will develop its “on-line presence overview” to incorporate candidates in extra nonimmigrant visa classifications: all A-3, C-3 (if a home employee), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, Ok-1, Ok-2, Ok-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U classifications. These are along with H-1B candidates and their dependents, and the F, M, and J pupil and trade customer visa candidates already topic to social media overview.
Texas to Require Proof of Authorized Standing for Skilled Licensing – The brand new ruling impacts not solely docs and legal professionals but in addition barbers, electricians, instructional professionals, canine breeders, used automobile elements recyclers, cosmetologists, accountants, and others who acquire licenses to function.
April 1: Alice in Wonderland Redux—Curiouser and Curiouser – Alice awaited her flip on the border of Wonderland with a lot endurance, after having obtained a short lived VFA (Customer for Journey) visa and having dreamed of visiting for many of her life.
Particulars:
DOL Releases Lengthy-Anticipated Prevailing Wage Proposed Rule
On March 27, 2026, the Division of Labor (DOL) launched a long-anticipated proposed rule that would considerably reshape prevailing wage necessities for H-1B, PERM, and associated packages.
The proposal would revise how prevailing wages are calculated for PERM labor certifications for inexperienced card functions and Labor Situation Purposes (LCAs) utilized in H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 nonimmigrant filings. The rule would increase the minimal wages that should be provided for employers to sponsor H-1B employees and employment-based inexperienced playing cards. It follows years of litigation and regulatory uncertainty stemming from an October 2020 interim remaining rule (IFR) and subsequent company actions. Whereas the proposed rule continues DOL’s effort to lift wage ranges, some commenters say that it adopts a extra average method than the 2020 IFR and notice that it’s being issued by normal notice-and-comment rulemaking.
The proposed rule wouldn’t eradicate the flexibility of employers to make use of non-public wage surveys assembly present DOL requirements. For employers who can’t use the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage survey on account of incompatibility between their job descriptions and the OEWS wage-leveling system, this continuity can be essential to their H-1B and PERM packages.
DOL mentioned that these modifications are meant to higher mirror wages paid to equally employed U.S. employees and scale back the potential for wage undercutting. As a sensible matter, nonetheless, by eliminating the present entry-level wage classification and requiring entry-level employees to be provided wages at present at Stage II within the OEWS wage system, many smaller employers and nonprofit employers might be shut out of the H-1B and PERM system.
The rule wouldn’t retroactively have an effect on beforehand issued prevailing wage determinations, LCAs, or PERM functions. The efficient date will not be but set; the DOL will obtain feedback till Could 26, 2026.
DOS Publicizes Enlargement of Social Media Vetting to Extra Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications
On March 25, 2026, the Division of State (DOS) introduced that efficient March 30, the company will develop its “on-line presence overview” to incorporate candidates in extra nonimmigrant visa classifications: all A-3, C-3 (if a home employee), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, Ok-1, Ok-2, Ok-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U classifications. These are along with H-1B candidates and their dependents, and the F, M, and J pupil and trade customer visa candidates already topic to social media overview.
To facilitate this vetting, DOS mentioned, all candidates for these classes are instructed to regulate the privateness settings on all of their social media profiles to “public” or “open.”
Reportedly, social media vetting of H-1B candidates has resulted in “immense backlogs at U.S. consulates.”
Texas to Require Proof of Authorized Standing for Skilled Licensing
In keeping with experiences, on March 24, 2026, Texas’ Fee of Licensing and Regulation accepted a brand new rule, efficient Could 1, 2026, to require candidates for skilled licenses to offer proof of authorized standing in the USA earlier than they will acquire a license. The brand new ruling impacts not solely docs and legal professionals but in addition barbers, electricians, instructional professionals, canine breeders, used automobile elements recyclers, cosmetologists, accountants, and others who acquire licenses to function.
Caroline Espinosa, a spokesperson for the Texas Division of Licensing and Regulation, which is overseen by the Fee, mentioned that “the division is shifting ahead with lawful presence verification. This ensures constant, safe practices throughout all packages and strengthens our capacity to determine and deter fraud, labor exploitation, and human trafficking.”
Some raised considerations in regards to the new rule. Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt of Austin, who’s campaigning for comptroller of public accounts, mentioned, “Texas can’t afford to lose certified and expert licensees in these high-demand jobs. The affect of TDLR’s proposed rule is probably going extra far-reaching than what was initially assessed by the company.”
April 1: Alice in Wonderland Redux—Curiouser and Curiouser
Alice awaited her flip on the border of Wonderland with a lot endurance, after having obtained a short lived VFA (Customer for Journey) visa and having dreamed of visiting for many of her life. She had heard in regards to the gleaming buildings paved with gold all over the place and the greatness of the King. When requested why she wished to enter, she replied, “The Cheshire Cat prompt it.” She was allowed in however was quickly detained by the King’s Royal Guard on account of terrorism accusations. She was hauled into court docket, and the King patched in through Zoom to loom over the proceedings. “Off along with her head!” he shouted earlier than the trial had begun. The gavel got here down; the decision: responsible.” “Responsible of what?” “Six-seven,” mentioned the decide. “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” mentioned the King’s prosecutor, cackling with glee. “Carry within the witches!” And so they danced round her, setting a hearth. “However that’s from a distinct fairy story! What in regards to the details? What about my household? I really feel betrayed,” she cried. “None of that issues anymore!” the prosecutor screamed. “We’re all within the King’s fairy story now!”
Simply within the nick of time, they yanked her out of her seat and “escorted” her to a spot they referred to as the Large Stunning Detention Heart, which the guard jokingly known as Jabberwocky Jail, and she or he discovered herself trapped in a big, drafty warehouse surrounded by a swamp stuffed with alligators. There have been many others additionally detained there, together with Dorothy, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Child Yoda. Somebody smuggled some disturbing video out of the middle, and earlier than they might be whisked off to the Underworld on the King’s Darkish Airplane, one intrepid immigration legal professional, a sure Mad Hatter, Esq., of the Alliance of Enterprise Immigration Attorneys, stepped in. “We’ll sue!” he proclaimed. “Alice, don’t panic. The King is only a man behind a curtain. His palms are very small, and his minions are nothing however a pack of playing cards. It’s only one aspect or the opposite.” “One aspect or the opposite of what?” she requested, panicked. “Of the mushroom,” he mentioned. “I’ll be again! Don’t hand over! This story isn’t over!” And he started to fade in a puff of smoke whereas chanting, “Joyful April Idiot’s Day!” Keep tuned.[1]
[1] Any complaints about this text, or the rest, can be despatched down the rabbit gap.
