On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule ending the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) policy for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors. Beginning September 15, 2026, individuals entering the U.S. under F or J status will no longer receive an open-ended period of stay tied solely to maintaining their status. Instead, they will be admitted for the length of their academic or exchange program, subject to a maximum admi

For nearly half a century, international students in the U.S. have operated under the Duration of Status (D/S) framework. That longstanding policy may now be subject to significant change. On May 5, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a final rule affecting F, J and I nonimmigrant classifications to the OMB/OIRA for federal review. The proposed regulatory shift would replace the current D/S system, which permits individuals to remain in the U.S. for as l

A 2025 report by PincusCo ranked iCross Capital, ARCFE’s parent company, 35th out of 105 lending institutions in NYC, highlighting the firm’s growing presence and expertise in one of the most competitive and sophisticated real estate markets in the world. The report noted that NYC construction lending activity surged in 2025, with lenders providing over $23.3B across 344 deals, reflecting strong demand for experienced capital partners capable of navigating complex developme

In recent weeks, a proposed bill in Iowa has drawn significant attention from Chinese international students and families planning long-term careers and residency pathways in the U.S. The legislation, known as HF 2513, would prohibit public universities in Iowa from entering into new employment agreements with certain H-1B visa holders from a list of designated countries. The bill has already passed the Iowa House of Representatives and has advanced through the Senate Labor C

Last week, the 2026 IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum was successfully held in Washington D.C., bringing together leading professionals from across the EB-5 industry. As one of the industry’s premier annual events, the forum welcomed Regional Centers, immigration attorneys, developers, economists, and other EB-5 service providers to exchange insights on emerging market trends, policy developments, and the future direction of the EB-5 program. Upcoming Topics: ARCFE honored with the

Recently, a new bill introduced in Congress has once again brought the future of the H-1B visa program into the spotlight. The proposed legislation, titled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemption or EXILE Act, was introduced by Florida Republican Representative Greg Steube. The bill seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by gradually reducing the annual H1B visa cap each year until it reaches zero in 2027, effectively terminating the program. A Ren

After receiving the Conditional Green Card, many Applicants naturally turn their attention to settling into their new lives and planning for the future. However, from an immigration perspective, it’s important to be aware of the basics when managing permanent resident status. Typical life events including but not limited to international travel, tax filing, and moving may seem straightforward at first glance. Yet these factors are carefully reviewed during the I-829 petition

In 2025, New York City real estate continued to demonstrate durability amid a shifting macroeconomic environment. While elevated interest rates, tighter capital markets, and affordability pressures moderated short-term transaction activity, core fundamentals remained intact. Constrained housing supply, sustained rental demand, and New York’s role as a global economic center continued to support long-term investment value. Within this landscape, Long Island City (LIC) stands o