News in United States
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DHS Proposes Rule Restricting Work Authorization for Parolees and Certain Immigrants
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule that would significantly limit access to Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for parolees, deferred action recipients, and individuals with final removal orders. The proposal is framed as an effort to reduce unauthorized employment and prioritize U.S. workers.
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BAL Immigration receives top ranking in Chambers USA Guide 2026
The Chambers USA Guide 2026 has ranked BAL as a top immigration law firm in the United States, continuing a streak of national recognition spanning 14 years.
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FBAR Penalties for US Expats: What Happens When You Miss the Filing
US citizens living abroad who fail to file an FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) may face significant penalties, though voluntary disclosure before IRS contact can often result in reduced or waived penalties. The severity of consequences typically depends on timing and the circumstances of the missed filing.
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Investment Environment and Themes for US Expats in 2026
A presentation at the 2026 US Expats Financial Conference covers investment environments and themes relevant to US expats in 2026.
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DHS Memo Directs ICE Attorneys to Develop Asylum Anti-Fraud Policies
A memo from DHS General Counsel James Percival instructs ICE attorneys in the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor to establish anti-fraud policies targeting immigration attorneys who file false asylum claims in immigration court.
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Attorney Calls Trump Card Visa Offer Potentially Misleading
Immigration attorney Mona Shah has described the Trump Card as potentially amounting to "false advertising" and suggested it may not lead to any viable immigration pathway. The comments reflect ongoing skepticism among practitioners about the product's legal basis and deliverability.
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US DOL Proposed Rule Would Raise Prevailing Wage Levels for Employer-Sponsored Workers
The US Department of Labor has proposed a rule that would significantly increase minimum prevailing wage levels for employer-sponsored positions. Employers relying on prevailing wage determinations for sponsored workers would face higher wage obligations if the rule is finalized.
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Malta QROPS U.S. Tax Reporting Requirements for American Pension Holders
Some U.S. taxpayers with Malta-based QROPS pension arrangements are receiving letters asking them to verify whether their pension has been correctly reported under U.S. tax rules. The item outlines what compliance obligations may apply to these pension holders.
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DHS Extends Temporary Protected Status for Lebanon Through November 2026
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has automatically extended Temporary Protected Status for Lebanon by six months, covering the period from May 28, 2026 through November 27, 2026. The extension was published in the Federal Register and follows statutory requirements governing TPS designations.
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Physical Presence Test for the US Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Explained
The Physical Presence Test is an IRS method US citizens abroad can use to qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), based on spending a required number of days outside the US within any consecutive 12-month period. Meeting this test allows qualifying expats to exclude a portion of foreign-earned income from US taxable income.
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IRS Form 709 Gift Tax Rules and Filing Requirements for US Expats
US persons who give more than $19,000 to a single recipient in 2025 must file IRS Form 709, the United States Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return. Filing the form does not automatically trigger gift tax owed; it primarily tracks usage of the lifetime gift tax exemption.
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US Tax Filing Obligations for Americans Living Abroad
US citizens, green card holders, and some resident aliens are required to file a federal income tax return regardless of where they live or earn income. The article outlines 14 tips related to expat tax compliance, including foreign income exclusions and reporting requirements.
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Opinion: USCIS Policy Update Seen as Boost for Global Residency-by-Investment Programs
An opinion piece argues that a recent USCIS policy update strengthens the competitive position of global residency-by-investment programs relative to US immigration options. The author suggests the industry views the change as advantageous for non-US residency alternatives.
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IRS Form 1040-NR Filing Requirements for Nonresident Aliens Explained
Form 1040-NR (U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return) is required by the IRS for non-U.S. citizens reporting U.S.-sourced income, including income from investments, remote work, or time spent in the U.S. on a visa. Filing requirements depend on factors such as residency status, travel days, and the type of U.S. income received.
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H-1B contingency planning considerations for 2026 lottery cycle
The 2026 H-1B initial selection process included two notable changes: a $100,000 fee requirement for certain petitions and at least one additional procedural change. Employers and applicants are advised to prepare contingency plans given these new requirements.
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Opinion: Ten Countries Suggested as Investment Alternatives to the USA
A video presents ten countries — including Guyana, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan — as higher-growth investment destinations compared to the US and UK, citing projected GDP growth figures for this century. Countries such as Qatar, Ghana, Azerbaijan, and China/Hong Kong are also listed alongside arguments for offshore banking and citizenship diversification.
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Wealthy Americans Acquiring Multiple Citizenships as Contingency Planning
A Forbes article reports that high-net-worth Americans are increasingly pursuing second and multiple citizenships as a contingency measure amid uncertain times.
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Wealthy Americans Acquiring Multiple Passports as Strategic Assets
A trend is reported of wealthy Americans obtaining second and third passports through investment and residency programs, treating them as high-value assets. The Daily Tribune article includes commentary from a citizenship-by-investment industry executive on the motivations behind this behavior.
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American Shares Experience of Moving to the UK in Her 40s
Victoria Pearce, who relocated from the US to the UK after age 40, discusses her experience of moving abroad later in life. The conversation covers personal aspects of the transition.
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India EB-2 Visa Annual Limit Reached for FY 2026
The U.S. State Department announced on May 22, 2026 that all available Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) immigrant visas chargeable to India have been issued for fiscal year 2026. No further EB-2 visas will be available for India-chargeable applicants until the new fiscal year begins.
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Health Insurance Options for US Expats Living Abroad
US expats living abroad are often required to show proof of health insurance coverage as a condition of residency or visa approval in many countries. Global health insurance plans are available to meet both personal medical needs and country-specific requirements.
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Form 3520 Reporting Requirements for U.S. Recipients of Foreign Gifts and Inheritances
U.S. persons who receive gifts or inheritances from foreign individuals above certain thresholds are required to file Form 3520 with the IRS. Failure to file can result in significant penalties.
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IRS May Require Dual Citizens to Self-Identify on Tax Returns
The IRS is considering a proposal that would require dual citizens to identify themselves on US tax returns. The measure would affect Americans holding second passports, not only undocumented immigrants as widely reported.
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USCIS Reclassifies Adjustment of Status as Extraordinary Relief, EB-5 Exemption Unclear
USCIS has restricted in-country green card applications by reclassifying adjustment of status as "extraordinary relief" rather than a routine pathway. A vague "economic benefit" exemption leaves EB-5 investor visa holders uncertain about their eligibility.
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USCIS Policy Memo Reframes Adjustment of Status as Discretionary Relief, Not Entitlement
USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 on May 21, 2026, instructing officers to treat adjustment of status as an extraordinary discretionary benefit requiring applicants to affirmatively demonstrate they merit a favorable decision. The memo does not change existing statute or regulations but signals a stricter evaluative posture for AOS applications.
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USCIS Policy Memo Requires Adjustment of Status Applications to Be Completed Outside the US
On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memo stating that adjustment of status is a matter of discretion and administrative grace, effectively requiring immigrants to complete the process outside the United States. This represents a significant change to how green card applications are processed for individuals currently residing in the US.
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Retiring in Spain: Residency Visas, Tax Obligations, and Cost of Living for US Citizens
US citizens retiring in Spain must navigate legal residency requirements, Spanish and US tax rules, and varying costs of living. The article covers visa options, healthcare access, and tax considerations relevant to long-term relocation.
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US DHS Restricts Arrivals from Central African Countries Following Ebola Outbreak
US Customs and Border Protection has implemented arrival restrictions on flights entering the United States that carry travelers who have recently been in certain Central African countries, citing a confirmed Ebola outbreak in the region.
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US Expats in Zero-Income-Tax Countries Still Face IRS Filing Obligations
US citizens living in countries with no income tax, such as the UAE, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, remain subject to US taxation regardless of residency. Moving to a zero-tax country does not eliminate IRS obligations for American expats.
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Health Insurance Options for American Seniors Relocating to Canada in 2026
American seniors moving to Canada face gaps in healthcare coverage as US plans typically do not extend across the border. The guide covers health insurance options available to this group when establishing residency in Canada.
