Blog

We are closely monitoring the recent announcement from the U.S. Department of State regarding changes to visa processing. On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration confirmed an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This policy stems from concerns over the potential for applicants to become a “public charge” (i.e.,…

In December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a notice in the Federal Register proposing major changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Under this proposal, travelers from countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program will be required to provide their social media usernames, as well as email addresses and phone numbers they have used during…

Read our full initial briefing, which outlined immediate risks to air travel, national parks, immigration services, and federal group bookings. Shutdown Status The stalemate in Congress has persisted, pushing the shutdown into Day 20. Senate Democrats rejected funding bills for the 10th time last week, blocking the bills from reaching the 60 votes necessary to move…

The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2025 after Congress failed to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) or full-year appropriations. Negotiations have not yet produced a deal; votes in the Senate have failed to end the impasse, so the shutdown continues into this week.  About 750,000 federal employees are furloughed or…